Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

Matariki: regional variations

Matariki isn’t universally observed, due to a variety of reasons – including the fact that the cluster is not visible to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. Learn about regional variations in marking te Mātahi o te Tau (the Māori new year).

  • Still from the Matariki story video

    Watch: The Star Family of Matariki story

    Hear Te Waari Carkeek, from Ngāti Toa Rangatira iwi, tell the story of how the seven Matariki stars use their special talents and skills to help their kuia, Papatūānuku (the earth), prepare for the new year.

  • Two people standing under an open marquee tent. Both are cooking on a frypan and  looking at the camera.

    Watch: Matariki Kōrero – Puanga

    Throughout the weeks leading up to Matariki, 2024, guest speakers gave a series of talks about kai Māori practices connected to taonga (treasures) from our collection.

    This kōrero (talk) is about Puanga – the whetū (star) that for some iwi (tribes), signals the Māori New Year.

  • Puanga in the night sky (the brightest star in the photograph)

    Astronomers explain Puanga and Matariki

    Richard Hall, President of the Phoenix Astronomical Society, and Vice President Ian Cooper explain when we can see the star Puanga and why it’s linked to Matariki.