About Matariki

Mānawatia a Matariki

Lecture with Dr Rangi Matamua

Proudly presented by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, join Dr Rangi Matamua as he shares with us extensive knowledge around Matariki and Māori astronomy and how we can all Live by The Stars.

Play Video about Matariki Lecture with Rangi Matamua

Matariki (Pleiades) in the ancient world

A historic view of the Matariki star cluster

What we know as Matariki, is Pleiades to most of the world. The Pleiades are a prominent astronomical figure for many cultures throughout the world, and it has been featured, observed, celebrated and worshipped since as far back as 20,000 years ago.

Matariki Creation

Te Orokohanganga: Rangi and Papa

Ranginui eloped with Papatūānuku, together they became the primordial sky father and earth mother bearing over 70 children including Tāwhirimatea, Tāne and Tangaroa, all of whom are male. Both Ranginui and Papatūānuku lay locked together in a tight embrace, and their sons forced to live in the cramped darkness between them.

Matariki in the Pacific

Matariki ki Te Moana nui a Kiwa

The peoples of Polynesia are undeniably connected as represented in langauge similarities, art, tikanga, stories, and ocean navigation. These connections are also reflected in the way that Pleiades is observed throughout the various people of the Pacific.

How Matariki got it's name

Te Tikanga o te ingoa o Matariki

We understand Matariki to be a truncated version of the long name 'Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tawhirimātea' which translates meaning 'the eyes of the god Tawhirimātea'. This name originates from the turmoil which occurred soon after the separation of Ranginui and Papatuānuku.