Matariki Explanation Writing

MATARIKI

Matariki is the Māori name for a bunch of stars known as the Pleiades. Traditionally for Māori when it appeared just before dawn in late May or early June, it signalled the start of the Māori New Year. In the early 2000s the Māori Language Commission, the Ministry of Education and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, became involved in the revival of Matariki Celebrations. Different tribes celebrated Matariki at different times.  For some it was when Matariki rose in May/June. For others it was celebrated at the first new moon, or full moon, following the rising of Matariki. In the 21st century it is the new moon following the rising of Matariki that signals the New Year

Matariki is celebrated with education, remembrance and the planting of new trees and crops which signals new beginnings. Matariki was the chosen time for new harvests, and ceremonial offerings to the land-based god (Rongo).Here is a map to find the Matariki at night

Traditionally, depending on the visibility of Matariki, the coming season's crop was thought to be determined. The brighter the stars indicated the warmer the season would be and thus the more crops produced. It was also seen as an important time for family to gather and reflect on the past and the future. Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a happy event – crops had been harvested and seafood and birds had been collected. With plenty of food in the storehouses, Matariki was a time for singing, dancing and feasting. Matariki, or Māori New Year celebrations were once popular, but stopped in the 1940s. In 2000, they were revived. Only a few people took part at first, but in just a few years thousands were celebrating the ‘New Zealand Thanksgiving’. A special feature of Matariki celebrations is the flying of kites – according to ancient custom they flutter close to the stars

So matariki is  New Zealand's own unique  thanks-giving that more and more people are celebrating. Come-on why don’t you celebrate it with us?

Sites I used

http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/matariki

https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=How+to+find+Matariki(the+Pleiades)&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=QWiQVd7lM6K_mwWDyYKIAQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=633