Matariki is the name for the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades. The cluster rises in the sky in mid-June till early July. When this happens, it is considered as the New Year for the Māori. This year in Wellington, there was a two-week celebration of Matariki, with various events around the city.
We were able to walk through the Ahi Kā-a festival (fire and light) at the Wellington waterfront on the first Saturday of celebrations.
Matariki is a time to acknowledge the dead, and a time to reflect and be thankful to the gods for the harvest. It is also a time to feast and share the bounty with family and friends. Starting next year, Matariki will be an official holiday non-working holiday in New Zealand.
How fortunate are we to celebrate two New Years in a year!
