1. Home
  2. Discover the collections
  3. Read, watch, play
  4. Matariki – the Māori New Year
  5. Matariki: regional variations

Matariki: regional variations

Watch: The Star Family of Matariki story Mātakina: Te pūrākau mō te Whānau o Matariki

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

  kuiamotherMāori | Noun, Papatūānuku

  Papatūānukuthe earth motherMāori | Name, prepare for the new year.

​The video features time-lapse photography of places in the Wellington region that are significant to Ngāti Toa, and a soundscape of taonga puoro

  taonga puoroMāori musical instrumentsMāori | Noun.

Translations of words used

In the order they’re heard in the video, tap on the word to hear how it is said:

You might also like

  • The location of Puanga in the mid-winter sky
    The difference between Puanga and Matariki

    The difference between Puanga and Matariki

    Some iwi celebrate Puanga rather than Matariki. Che Wilson of Whanganui iwi explains why this is the case, and which iwi celebrate Puanga.

  • A view of deep space showing the star Puanga (also known as Rigel)
    Matariki: regional variations

    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).

  • Early morning view of Mt John with the sun rising in the distance to show a sky full of stars. On top of this photo the logo of the Matariki public holidays, a stylised design of the cluster’s nine stars, floats
    Matariki – the Māori New Year

    Matariki – the Māori New Year

    Matariki is a time to gather with whānau and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.