In Māori culture, Matariki is the Pleiades star cluster and a celebration of its first rising in late June or early July. The rising marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar. …

There are over 500 stars in the Matariki cluster – but only a handful are visible without the use of a telescope. Each of the stars has their own unique characteristics that Māori acknowledge and …

Each of the whetū (stars) in the cluster is intrinsically connected, and they’re individually named and defined with a purpose. Read more about each star in the Matariki cluster below. The first …

Matariki, also known as the Seven Sisters, is a group of stars that appear in the night sky in New Zealand during the winter months. The Māori New Year begins with the rise of Matariki, which …

Matariki has nine visible stars according to leading Māori astronomer Dr Rangi Matamua, who has been researching Matariki for over 30 years. Each star holds a certain significance over our …

We’re often asked about the number of stars that make up the Matariki cluster. You may have read that it is made up of seven stars: Matariki, Pōhutukawa, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Waitī, …

The Matariki star cluster contains hundreds of stars but only nine are visible to the naked eye. Each of these nine stars has a distinct story and significance in Māori culture. According to …

The different names of the whetu (stars) in the Matariki group are significant to Māori, as each individual has a defined purpose and is intrinsically connected with the Māori world. Source: …

There are many legends about the star cluster Matariki. One of the most popular is that the star Matariki is the whaea (mother), surrounded by her six daughters, Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, …

The “Nine Stars of Matariki” collectively form a celestial tapestry that reflects the interconnectedness of the Earth, the cosmos, and the rich heritage of the Māori people. Each …