Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, which rises in mid-winter and marks the beginning of the Māori New Year in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a time for remembrance, celebrating the present, and looking to the future. Traditionally, Matariki was a time to honor those who had passed, share food from the harvest, and plan for the year ahead. Today, it is celebrated with cultural events, storytelling, music, and kai (food). Matariki encourages reflection, connection with whānau (family), and appreciation of nature and Māori heritage. It became a public holiday in New Zealand in 2022.

The nine stars of Matariki, in traditional order, are:

1. Matariki – associated with wellbeing and health

2. Pōhutukawa – connects with those who have passed on

3. Tupuānuku – linked to food grown in the ground

4. Tupuārangi – linked to food from the sky (birds, fruit)

5. Waitī – associated with freshwater and its creatures

6. Waitā – associated with the ocean and seafood

7. Waipunarangi – connected to rain

8. Ururangi – connected to the winds

9. Hiwa-i-te-rangi – the star of wishes and aspirations