Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year.
There are seven stars that form Matariki.
The name of the stars are: Waiti,Waita,Matariki,Tupu-a-nuku,Tupu-a-raingi,Ururaingi and Waipunarangi.
The star cluster Matariki appears in our skies in the month of Pipiri (June–July), marking the start of the Māori New Year.
We celebrate by eating together and by playing together like playing soccer and hoping the next year ahead will be better.
