Paora Mackie (left) and Kiley Nepia sound the conch shells at the beginning of Matariki celebrations at Wairau Bar, Marlborough, in 2009. Matariki is also known as the Pleiades star constellation. The first moon after the constellation appears in southern skies, usually in June or July, heralds the Māori New Year. In the 2000s it was common for both Māori and Pākehā to celebrate Matariki.
In 2022 Matariki was celebrated as a official public holiday for the first time. The date for the public holiday will change each year but will always be on a Friday in June or July.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
by Scott Hammond
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