inspired star constellation design.
Matariki is a star cluster known worldwide and treasured in Aotearoa New Zealand. Matariki rises during mid-winter (June/July). Matariki is visible to the naked eye from most parts of our planet, and is known by many different names. In Greek, and widely used in English-speaking countries, it is called Pleiades. In Japan, it is called Subaru, which means ‘to come together’. In China it is Mao, the hairy head of the white tiger, and in India it is known as Krittika. In Greek mythology the cluster is known as the seven sisters, and in Norse mythology the Vikings knew them as Freyja’s hens. The Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 came into effect in April 2022. The dates for the Matariki holiday will change from year to year, but will always fall in June or July. The holiday date falls on the closest Friday to the Tangaroa lunar period of Pipiri. Matariki was used by the ocean-going navigators (kaumoana) of the voyaging waka to guide them across the Pacific. Navigators used stars and star clusters such as Matariki to help them navigate great distances across the Pacific. Today, there is a revival of these traditional navigation skills. Kaumoana have sailed double-hulled waka across the Pacific ocean guided only by traditional methods.