Happy Matariki!

It’s Matariki, or Māori New Year, in New Zealand. I’ve mentioned it on my podcast, but not here on the blog. It’s about time I fixed that.

Matariki is celebrated each year beginning with the sighting of the new moon in June, combined with the rising of the star group known in Māori as Matariki (hence the name for the festival). It’s better known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters Some tribes apparently wait for the rising of Rigel).

This year, the Matariki festival runs from June 14 to July 14. In many places, there are Māori-specific cultural events and demonstrations, as well as other community events (North Shore City is holding a “planting day” on July 4th, for example).

Matariki has received more attention in recent years, in part because it’s specifically New Zealand, part of our unique Māori heritage and culture. It’s also a good opportunity to promote the Māori language.

Pākehā mainly celebrate Matariki because of its New Zealand uniqueness, and also because it provides an opportunity for some winter fun (bars and restaurants, of course, plan themed parties around it). But along the way, some may absorb at least a little Māori culture, too, which is a good thing.

Happy Matariki!