Each winter, the Maori celebrate the arrival of Matariki in the mid-winter night sky.  It marks the passing of the old year (according to the Maori moon calendar) and the beginning of the new year.  Rituals and celebrations take place at this time to farewell loved ones, to acknowledge our relationships with each other and with the natural world.  Matariki is a time to have fun, share stories, and to enjoy kai (food).

Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whanui.

Ko te tohu tena o te tau e!

Matariki re-appears, Whanui starts its flight.

Being the sign of the [new] year!

(information from Te Papa museum)

I went to a Matariki ritual in which there was a bonfire, people spoke, and they sent off candles in the pond to say goodbye to the old year.

Playing music

Check out the link below for a children’s book about Matariki.  The story is signed, sung in Maori and has English captions.

http://www.kdec.school.nz/learning/Te%20Reo%20Singalong/index.html