Matariki is the constellation of stars known in many parts of the world as The Pleiades. Matariki is also known as the Seven Sisters. Matariki's appearance in New Zealand skies marks the start of the Maori new year.
Matariki rises on New Zealand's northeast horizon in May or June. The constellation has been known to act as a key navigation beacon for ocean voyagers and as an important signal for seasonal celebrations.
Traditionally the Maori new year celebrations begin on the sighting of the new moon after the appearance of Matariki.
The Matariki festival in the Auckland region usually lasts for a month from a date in June. In a number of years, it occurs during New Zealand's Queen's Birthday holiday period, so there have been moves to replace the Queen's Birthday holiday with the indigenous Matariki.
In Maori legend, Ranginui the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother were forcibly separated by their children, causing great anger in Tawhirimatea, the god of the winds, who tore out his eyes in rage and flung them into the heavens — where they now exist as Matariki, from Mata ariki, the eyes of god.
