Fireworks, whales, and stars: Everything you need to know about Matariki

Thursday, 27 June 2019

As part of the capital's Matariki celebrations, a 10m by 15m water screen will be seen over Wellington's harbour.

We look out for the iconic star cluster and we watch the fireworks, but how much do we really know about Matariki?

The iconic Matariki cluster has a rich history in New Zealand.

It appears in June - or Pipiri - to mark Maramataka, 'the moon turning', otherwise known as the Māori lunar calendar.

Dr Charles Royal, the creative director of Te Papa's Matariki programme sees Matariki as a chance for New Zealand to unite.

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'Matariki is a celebration that is unique to New Zealand and provides an opportunity to come together, to acknowledge who we are, to express love for these islands that we call our home and foster quality relationships between each other and the natural world,' he said in a statement.

Each year, the Matariki cluster of stars - known to astronomers as Pleiades or the Six Sisters - rises in New Zealand skies.

It's celebrated around the country with cultural events, fireworks and stargazing, but how did it originate and what does it mean?

WHO ARE THE SIX SISTERS?

The beginning of the Māori New Year, Matariki is described as a time of renewal and celebration.

At the fore of the season is the visibility of Matariki itself, a star cluster that appears in the middle of winter, also known in English as the Pleiades.

It's believed the cluster is made up of around 500 stars spread across the sky, but only around seven are visible to the naked eye - they are Matariki and the six sisters.

Legend has it Matariki and her daughters travel across the sky every year to visit their great grandmother - Papatuanuku - and help her prepare for the year ahead.

Named Ururangi, Waipunarangi, Waitā, Waitī, Tupu-ā-nuku, and Tupu-ā-rangi, the six sisters and their mother Matariki use their unique gifts to 'bring mauri to her different environments', according to the Te Papa website.

They each have their own skills - Tupu-ā-nuku tends to plants, Tupu-ā-rangi sings, Waipunarangi prepares Tangaroa (god of the sea) to feed the people, twins Waitā and Waitī care for the smallest, fastest creatures, Ururangi has a positive attitude, and Matariki watches over all.

It's believed the cluster was used to guide voyaging waka crews across the Pacific, and its brightness helped predict the prosperity of harvests.

NO TELESCOPE REQUIRED

Matariki is one of the closest clusters to earth, making it relatively easy to spot, even without a telescope.

Once you've identified the Southern Cross - or Māhutonga - you track east, passing the brightest star, The Winter Maiden - Hinetakurua - use Tautoru's three bright stars to point you towards Matakaheru, and find Matariki just of its shoulder.

For those with a telescope, hundreds of stars are observable, but without, you'll see between seven and nine, depending on the weather.

Last year, Wellington's annual Sky Show fireworks display hit a whale-sized snag.

This coming weekend, stargazing conditions are looking relatively fine for most of the country.

'We're forecasting clear skies over much of the country,' MetService meteorologist Andy Best told Stuff.

But it is dependent on location.

'If you're down in Southland, Otago, inland Canterbury, inland Waikato, Waitomo, Taupo, Bay of Plenty, those places are likely to get fog and light cloud overnight as well as frost.'

Visible from early June, the cluster can be seen before sunrise on the northeast horizon. It's also visible during the summer months - Kohi-tātea (December to January) and Hui-tanguru (January to February) - in the same location after sunset.

MATARIKI CELEBRATIONS

Around the country, a number of events are organised to welcome the Māori New Year.

Wellington

The capital is planning a fireworks display once again on the waterfront.

Last year, the event was postponed after a whale decided to attend the festivities, and it could happen again.

There have been recent sightings of a whale swimming past Island Bay, with many speculating it is Matariki the Wellington Whale coming to celebrate with Wellingtonians once again.

The fireworks are expected to start at 6:30pm on the waterfront.

Auckland

Celebrations in the northern city began on June 22 with a Matariki Dawn Karakia.

Until July 14 the harbour bridge will be lighting up with an eight minute show every Friday and Saturday night every half hour between 6pm and midnight.

There are also family events planned in Silo Park from July 5-7 with Matariki-themed entertainment, art and kai available for all ages. The event kicks off from 5pm-10pm on the Friday, 2pm-9pm on the Saturday, and 12pm-5pm on the Sunday.

The festivities will conclude on July 12 with a free urban street Party on Federal St in the city.

Christchurch

The Arts Centre in the garden city will be conducting a variety of events including art workshops, markets, speakers, performances, family activities, and kapa haka until July 7.

Some of the planned events include a free kapa haka showcase in the Great Hall on June 29 from 11am - 12:30pm, and a food market with traditional Kiwi food - hangi, fish and chips, pavlova - in the Great Hall from 4pm - 9pm on June 29.