Matariki

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What is Matariki?

Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters. It is also refered to as the Maori New tyear.

When is the Maori New Year?

The new year is marked at the time of the new moon which happerns during June.

How long do the celebrations last?

Traditionally, celebrations lasted up to 3 days after the new moon had risen.

Who celebrates Matariki?

Anyone who wants to.

There are lots of ways to celebrate Matariki. Here are a few examples:

Art activities


 * Special play performances
 * Street performances
 * Exhibitions of Maori crafts
 * Television shows on Matariki history

Conservation activities
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Cleanups of beaches and local parks
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Recycling awareness
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Teaching about native New Zealand forests in schools
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Public talks on conservation

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Food Activities
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Matariki dinner celebrating the event
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Information added to menus promoting Matariki
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">New Zealand beer/ wine and food only at Matariki
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Hangi nights during Matariki

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Primary Schools activities
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Matariki month/arts and crafts
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Maori history/legends classes
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">School play performances
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Cooking classes for whole family

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">What you have learnt so far <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Matariki is the maori name for the Pleiades star cluster. <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Anyone can celebrate Matariki. <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">The maori new year is the time of the new moon.

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">If you would like to find out some more information on Matariki __ [|click here] __ <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">By Emily