Matariki at Tauranga Crossing

Matariki: The Māori New Year

Visit Tauranga Crossing and have a look at the Matariki display located in The Observatory. Learn more about the significance of Matariki at our information board. It will be showcased until Monday 27 June.

WHAT IS MATARIKI?

Matariki is a time to gather with family and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. 2022 is the first year that New Zealand is recognising Matariki with a public holiday on Friday 24 June. The stars each have important meaning:

• Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment, and the gathering of people. Matariki is also connected to the health and wellbeing of people.
• Waitī is associated with all fresh water bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.
• Waitā is associated with the ocean, and food sources within it.
• Waipuna-ā-rangi is associated with the rain.
• Tupuānuku is the star associated with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food.
• Tupuārangi is associated with everything that grows up in the trees: fruits, berries, and birds.
• Ururangi is the star associated with the winds.
• Pōhutukawa is the star associated with those that have passed on.
• Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the star associated with granting our wishes, and realising our aspirations for the coming year.

Source: Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. To read on click here