Matariki - Māori

Hello! I am Matariki. I am a very special time for the Māori people. I am the Māori New Year. Do you know what my name means? My name is for a beautiful group of stars. These stars sparkle together in the night sky. In the winter, people look up at the sky. They wait to see my stars rise just before the sun comes up. When they see my bright stars appear, they know a new year has begun. It is a time for new beginnings and happy thoughts.

I am a time for families to be together and think. It is a time to remember loved ones who are not here anymore. People share stories about their family and friends who have passed away. It is also a time to feel thankful. People think about the good things in their lives, like their food, their homes, and their friends. They say thank you for everything they have. After remembering and being thankful, they look forward. They plan for the new year that is just starting.

People celebrate me in many happy ways. Families and friends gather together. It is fun to be with people you love. They share delicious food and have big meals. They laugh and talk. They also sing beautiful songs and tell amazing stories. Another special thing people do is fly kites. The kites have long tails and bright colors. They dance and swoop in the wind. People believe the kites fly so high that they can touch my stars in the sky. It is a way to say hello to the new year.