Council and tāngata whenua launch Māori calendar

Kāpiti Coast District Council and local iwi will launch the annual Maramataka on Monday 26 June with an official ceremony in the Council chambers.

The Maramataka is the traditional Māori lunar calendar, and is launched around the time of Matariki. Matariki starts when the first new moon can be seen following the pre-dawn rise of Matariki, also known as the Pleiades constellation.

Traditionally, Matariki was both a time to commemorate those who had passed on, and celebrate a time of plenty when stores were abundant from horticulture, hunting and fishing. The most important function of the Māori lunar calendar was to regulate planting, harvesting, fishing and hunting.

This is the 10th year that Council and iwi have produced the Maramataka. Copies cost $10.00 and will be available from council service centres.

Photos from the ceremony will be available mid-afternoon on Monday 26 June.