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Months of the Maramataka | the Māori lunar calendar
In the traditional Māori Maramataka, or lunar calendar, the new year begins with the first new moon following the appearance of Matariki (Pleiades) on the eastern horizon. Usually this takes place in the period June-July.
Find out more about the Maramataka | the Māori lunar calendar
In earlier times, each tribe had its own traditions and knowledge around Matariki and Maramataka. This lore was based on the tribe’s understanding of the stars and phases of the moon, and how these affected the rhythms of Papatūānuku
PapatūānukuEarth motherMāori | Noun.
Please note that the traditional lunar months on the left do not occur at precisely the same as the English month on the left. Hence, Pipiri is not precisely the same as June.
|
Traditional Māori names for the lunar months |
English |
Māori Transliteration of English |
|
Pipiri |
June |
Hune |
|
Hōngongoi |
July |
Hūrae |
|
Hereturikōkā |
August |
Ākuhata |
|
Mahuru |
September |
Hepetema |
|
Whiringa-ā-nuku |
October |
Oketopa |
|
Whiringa-ā-rangi |
November |
Noema |
|
Hakihea |
December |
Tīhema |
|
Kohitātea |
January |
Hānuere |
|
Huitānguru |
February |
Pēpuere |
|
Poutūterangi |
March |
Māehe |
|
Paengawhāwhā |
April |
Āpereira |
|
Haratua |
May |
Mei |
