A Matariki Story
A Matariki Story
Embedded Files
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.
Matariki literally means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki). According to myth, when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.
Here's a little story about why we celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year.
Matariki
Matariki
Busy sisters learn of the wonderful story of Matariki and how whizzy, zippy, zig zagging sisters can work together to complete very important tasks.
The Seven Kites of Matariki
The Seven Kites of Matariki
The Seven Kites of Matariki by Calico McClintock and Dominique Ford
The little kiwi's matariki
The little kiwi's matariki
'The Little Kiwi's Matariki' written and illustrated by Nikki Slade-Robinson. Read by Aroha.
Together in love
Together in love
'Together in Love: A Legend of Matariki' woven and illustrated by Xoë Hall. Read by Tyla.
Seven Stars of Matariki
Seven Stars of Matariki
Seven Stars of Matariki, by the author, Toni Rolleston-Cummins.
Twinkle, Twinkle Matariki
Twinkle, Twinkle Matariki
Matariki
Matariki
Matariki, Ready to Read, Level 2, 2010
This report explains some of the stories and beliefs associated with Matariki and describes some of the ways that Matariki is celebrated.
Matariki Breakfast
Matariki Breakfast
Matariki Breakfast, Ready to Read, shared text, 2017
Matariki Breakfast describes Kara’s experience of celebrating Matariki with her whānau. It includes a retelling of a Tainui story about how the Matariki stars brought back Tama-nui-te-rā (the sun) after Māui and his brothers had caught him.
Celebrating Puanga
Celebrating Puanga
Celebrating Puanga at Ramanui, School Journal Level 2, November 2017
This article describes how one Taranaki school celebrates the appearance of the star Puanga in the eastern sky – the signal for the start of the Māori New Year. In other parts of Aotearoa, people watch for Matariki, but that constellation is hard to see in the Taranaki region
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