Ngā Whetū o Matariki
Name two stars in the Matariki cluster
Matariki, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipunārangi, Pōhutukawa, Ururangi
Name one traditional way people celebrate Matariki.
Sharing kai with whānau, remembering the dead, lighting fires, telling stories.
What does Matariki mean in te reo Māori?
Ngā mata o te ariki – the eyes of the god
Tāwhirimātea
How many stars are visible in the Matariki cluster to the naked eye?
Usually 9, sometimes only 6!
When did Matariki become a public holiday in Aotearoa?
2022.
Which star is connected to wellbeing and health?
Matariki (the mother star) – she represents health and wellbeing
What is the significance of waiata during Matariki?
Waiata helps remember ancestors, express emotions, bring people together, lift and heal the spirit, and celebrate new beginnings.
Why is whakapapa important during Matariki?
It’s a time to reflect on ancestors and honour our connections to those who have passed.
What is another name for the Matariki cluster?
Pleides, Subaru etc.
Name a New Zealand musician or artist who has created work to celebrate Matariki
Rob Ruha, Maisey Rika, Troy Kingi, TAWAZ
What star is associated with freshwater and rainfall?
Waitī – connected to freshwater like rivers and lakes.
Why do some people fly kites during Matariki?
Kites (manu tukutuku) connect the earth to the heavens.
How does Matariki reflect the Māori concept of time?
Matariki marks the end and beginning of the Māori lunar year
What is the name of a navigational tool using the stars?
star compass
Name a popular New Zealand TV show that has done a Matariki special or episode
Shortland Street, Te Karere, and What Now? have all featured Matariki content or specials.
How is Hiwa-i-te-Rangi different from the other stars?
She is the wishing star, where people set hopes and goals for the year ahead.
How are raranga (weaving) and Matariki connected?
Weaving is often done during Matariki as a way to honour whakapapa and create taonga (treasures).
woven mats are also used in kai preparation and presentation.
What is the connection between Matariki and remembering those who have passed?
Pōhutukawa carries the spirits of those who died in the past year.
We can call their names during Hautapu rituals
What is the significance of the winter solstice in relation to Matariki?
Matariki appears around the winter solstice – it marks the beginning of a new year.
In 2023, what did Google do for Matariki to celebrate in Aotearoa?
They released a Matariki-themed Google Doodle on the homepage.
Explain how Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi are connected to kai and the environment.
Tupuānuku is linked to food grown in the ground;
Tupuārangi is linked to food from trees and the sky (birds, fruits).
Give one example of a modern creative project or artwork inspired by Matariki and explain its meaning.
Waiata Māori
Jewellery
mural art
Describe how the values of whānaungatanga and manaakitanga are shown during Matariki.
Families gather, share food, care for each other, and celebrate their relationships.
Name another marker of the cold season used by Māori
Pūanga
Piripi
bird migration
plant foliage
How did King Charles III celebrate Matariki this year?
Sent a message to New Zealanders:
"E mihi ana ki a Puanga - mānawatia a Matariki. To everyone in New Zealand celebrating Matariki, I send my warmest good wishes. The Māori new year, when the Pleiades constellation rises in the southern skies, offers the opportunity to pause and reflect... where you are this Matariki season, I hope you have a change to share fgood in fellowship with your friends, family or community"