Have you ever heard of Matariki? Matariki is a New Zealand and Maori celebration. In New Zealand every year we celebrate Matariki around the winter season. Matariki means the eyes of God. Mata means eye and ariki means God. Meaning that God is looking over us. Matariki is also the harvest time. Matariki is also a holiday to spend with your family and learn more about matariki.
n other pacific countries there are different stories about Matariki. In New Zealand Matariki is the oldest of 9 sisters in the sky. There are Matariki,Tupuanuku,Tupuarangi,Waiti,Waita, Waipuna-a-rangi,
Hiwa-i-te-rangi and Ururangi. Tupuanuku is the reason why we grow our fruits and vegetables. That is why this is the harvest season.
Tupuarangi is kind of like Tupuanuku but he grows fruits and controls the birds.Waita and Waiti are twins. Waiti controls the living creatures in the freshwater,and Waita is associated with the oceans and the numerous types of food gathered in the sea.
Waipuna-a-rangi links the matariki star cluster to the coming of rain. Pohutukawa is associated with those who have died. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the star who is connected to the promise of a prosperous season. You may call her a wishing star. Ururangi is the star who determines the winds for the coming new year. Last but not least Matariki. Matariki is the brightest star in the night. Some people say if you see her as a star she will bring you good luck.
Matariki is about spending time with your family and friends, that means going out with your family. Or even just watching movies with them at home. Matariki is also about remembering your ancestors.
When it is matariki for my family, we go to the matariki lights and when it’s the last day of matariki we go watch the fireworks. Sometimes when we go there we get light sticks.