The difference between Puanga and Matariki
Some iwi celebrate Puanga rather than Matariki. Che Wilson of Whanganui iwi explains why this is the case, and which iwi celebrate Puanga.
Watch: The Star Family of Matariki storyMātakina: Te pūrākau mō te Whānau o Matariki
Hear Te Waari Carkeek, from Ngāti Toa Rangatira iwi, tell the story of how the seven Matariki stars use their special talents and skills to help their kuia, Papatūānuku, prepare for the new year.
The video features time-lapse photography of places in the Wellington region that are significant to Ngāti Toa, and a soundscape of taonga puoro.
Translations of words used
In the order they’re heard in the video, tap on the word to hear how it is said:
whānau – family
Papatūānuku/Papa – earth mother
mauri – life principle
kuia – female elder
kai – food
rongoā – medicine
kākahu – clothing
pūkenga – skills
te wao nui a Tāne – the great forests of Tāne
Tānemahuta – god of the forest
manu – bird
mokomoko – lizard
waiata – song
Tangaroa – god of the sea
Ranginui – sky father
Tamanuiterā – the sun
whaea – mother, aunt
matua – father, uncle
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Matariki: regional variations
Matariki isn’t universally observed, due to a variety of reasons – including the fact that the cluster is not visible to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. Learn about regional variations in marking te Mātahi o te Tau (the Māori new year).