Matariki

Exploring Matariki through seasonal skies, observation, mātauranga Māori and humanity’s long relationship with the night sky in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Matariki from Tangi te Kio, dawn ceremony 2014. Photo Hari

The appearance of Matariki in the winter sky signals a time of remembrance, reflection and renewal in Aotearoa New Zealand. For generations, careful observation of the stars has helped people understand seasonal change, navigation, food gathering and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

This section explores Matariki through astronomy, observation and mātauranga Māori, connecting the changing night sky with science, culture and environmental understanding.

When is Matariki?

10 July 2026

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Traditionally, Matariki is observed when the heliacal rising of the star cluster Pleiades coincides with a certain Moon phase that occurs on or after the winter solstice. Different tribes traditionally used different phases of the Moon. For example, the Full Moon, the Tangaroa Moon (when the Moon is in the Last Quarter) and the New Moon. Other tribes use the star Puanga–Rigel as Matariki is too low during that period of time around the winter solstice in some parts of New Zealand.

Explore Matariki concepts

stories and observations

Matariki Dawn Viewing on top of Mount Victoria Wellington

Matariki: The Stars That Became a Nation’s New Year

Fly through the Pleiades

Explore Matariki in 3D

Use your mouse or trackpad to move through the Pleiades star cluster. Drag to change direction and pinch or scroll to zoom in and out as you explore the stars of Matariki from different perspectives. Double click to reveal the names.

Diagram created by Sam using Gaia DR3 and Hipparchos Catalogues