Matariki Report

Matariki Report
During Matariki, we celebrate the beginning of a new year,new cycle of life and give respect to the land we live on.. It’s also about remembering those who are no longer with us and celebrating their life.
Matariki is a small cluster of seven stars that signify the Maori New Year. Also Known as the Seven Sisters and Pleaides (Greek). It translates as Mata Riki ‘Little Eyes’ or Mata Ariki ‘Eyes of God’.
Matariki had faded out of everyone’s mind, up until about 10 years ago. Now, Matariki is celebrated all over New Zealand and is becoming more popular and common.
Matariki disappears at the end of May. It then reappears in our skies at the beginning of June. Matariki is visible to the naked eye just before dawn. Traditionally a lookout was posted to watch for pre-dawn rise of Matariki.
If the stars are hazy and faint a lean season will follow. If the stars are bright and clear a warm season will be ahead.
Matariki has many legends. Different tribes have their own stories about Matariki. One of the legends is that the children of light were taken from there parents and placed into the sky.
As part of a nationwide involvement, Pukekohe Intermediate is holding their own celebrations. They have planned a Matariki Enrichment to be held every Thursday afternoon this term. A Ki-O-Rahi tournament has been organised for week 10 which wil be a school wide house competition. Kapa Haka will be Performing at Franklin:The Centre. There is also a dawn ceremony to be held at Pukekohe Hill.
Nowhere else in the world see’s the sky as we do. Our new year is marked by Matariki and the sighting of the next New Moon!

By Danelle Cox