Appearance of Matariki and Puanga marks start of Māori New Year
Thursday, 1 July 2021
The appearance of the Matariki star cluster on Friday morning has marked the official start to the Māori New Year.
The cluster and Puanga, the brightest star in the Orion constellation, were visible above the horizon to the northeast at around 5.45am, Māori astronomer Dr Rangi Matamua of Ngāi Tūhoe said.
By around 6.20am, it was “quite high in the sky.”
MetService said many parts of New Zealand had clear skies on Friday morning, although cloud may have been a problem in parts of eastern Northland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, coastal Canterbury, the bottom of the South Island and West Coast.
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The cluster and Puanga – another star that marks the beginning of the new year – would both be visible to the naked eye.
Matamua suggested when looking east and after spotting Orion’s Belt/Tautoru, cast your eyes to the left. You’ll gaze past Hyades/Te Kokotā and then find the Matariki cluster.
”Just a little bit further to the left [of Te Kokotā] you will see a small cluster of stars twinkling.”
Puanga would be visible above Orion’s Belt as the first bright star near it.
Matamua spotted the cluster on Thursday morning, but the correct lunar phase placed the start of the New Year on Friday. He was leading festivities at Te Papa in Wellington on Friday to mark the occasion, and hosting a Q&A session at the museum later in the day.
The astronomer thought this year was a great time for people to learn more about Matariki and venture outside to catch a glimpse of the cluster, ahead of next year’s inaugural public holiday. On Friday morning, the Government announced the dates for the new Matariki holiday, for the next 30 years.
“It will give people an opportunity to familiarise themselves with where it is and … become accustomed to Matariki and how to find it in the sky before next year.”
Matamua said seeing more people eager to celebrate Matariki was “very humbling”, and that it was great to see more New Zealander’s embracing this unique aspect of Māori culture, rather than only celebrating imported traditions.
“It’s becoming part of our national identity … This is special, and it’s unique, and it’s built around things like sharing and fellowship and feasting and remembering those who have passed on.
“With those kinds of principles that underpin it, I think it’s a wonderful fit and reason for people to come together.”
Matamua thought the increase in celebratory events was proof the nation was coming of age.
“There's a lot more people learning the Māori language and interested in Māori culture … wonderful things that really can unite us all together.
“[I’m] hoping it’s the beginning of something really great.”