Matariki
Matariki tāpuapua; Matariki hunga nui. Kua kite a Matariki, ā, maoka te hinu | Winter time, a time of assembly of the people. A time when game are best for the taking.
Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti is actively involved in the promotion and revitalisation of Matariki in the community.
Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades. The rising of Matariki in mid-winter signals the beginning of the Māori new year. It has always been a time of celebration and reflection – bringing together whānau, friends and neighbours during the cold winter months. For iwi on the west coast, the ascent of Puanga (Rigel in Orion) indicates the start of the Māori New Year as the pae maunga (mountain ranges) obstruct the view of Matariki.
When is Matariki?
Different iwi celebrate Matariki at different times. The Māori New Year is marked by the ascent of Matariki and the sighting of the next new moon.
Matariki rises in Kāpiti on 2 July 2021.
Matariki events 2021
We invite you and your whānau to celebrate Matariki with us, with events happening across the Kāpiti district.
Maramataka
Each year, Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti produces a Maramataka (calendar) that covers the period 1 July to 30 June, and includes information for fishing and planting by the moon.
The Maramataka is officially blessed and launched around the time of Matariki.
On behalf of Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti, the Maramataka 2021/22 is being produced by Ngāti Huia ki Katihiku for Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki.
The new Maramataka will be available for purchase at Council service centres for $10 each after 2 July 2021.
You can also see past years' Maramataka.