Matariki - Maori New Year
Ka puta a Matariki, ka rere a Whānui. Ko te tohu o te tau Māori.
Matariki re-appears; Whanui takes flight. Being the sign of the Maori (new) year.
Our support
New Zealand Post proudly supports Auckland Council and Te Papa in celebrating this uniquely New Zealand event.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the name for a small cluster of tiny stars - also known as the Pleiades, that signifies Maori New Year. Matariki is also an important signal for seasonal celebration in many countries and even a navigational beacon for ocean voyagers. In Greece, several important temples face straight towards Matariki and in Japan, the Subaru brand is named after the Matariki stars.
There are two translations for Matariki - mata riki, tiny eyes; and mata ariki, eyes of god.
When is Matariki?
Matariki is traditionally celebrated during the months of June and July each year and is celebrated in towns and cities throughout New Zealand. New Zealand Post a major supporter of activities at Te Papa in Wellington and throughout the Auckland region.
Auckland dates: 22 June – 22 July 2013
Wellington dates: 13 June – 30 June 2013
How can I participate in Matariki?
There are many activities planned around the country. Information on celebrations near you can be found on the following websites:
Wellington
The New Zealand Post Kaumātua Kapa Haka
Date: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June 2013
Time: 10am–4pm
Venue: Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, 55 Cable Street, Wellington, Level 2
Prepare yourself for tears of pride and joy. You’ll be swept up in the sheer elation with which the nation’s most revered Māori entertainers perform waiata and haka by iconic composers of yesteryear. These performances are both a glimpse into the past and a celebration of kaumātua.
Auckland
New Zealand Post Manu Aute Kite Day
Date: Saturday 20 July 2013
Time: 10am - 5pm
Venue: Orakei Marae/Takaparawha Reserve, Kitemoana Street, Orakei, Auckland
One of the signature annual Matariki Festival events, the New Zealand Manu Aute Kite Day includes numerous activities young and old will enjoy. From watching spectacular kite displays to flying your own, participating in one of the traditional kite-making workshops, or attending the story-telling sessions or kapa haka performances during the day, this event offers something for everyone.
Matariki 2013 – Koru stamp issue and 2013 Māori Art – Koru coin issue
Celebrate Matariki with New Zealand Post’s 2013 Matariki – Koru stamp issue and the 2013 Māori Rock Art – Koru coin issue.
Both the Matariki 2013 stamps and the 2013 Māori Art coin celebrate the koru – a pattern symbolising new life and regeneration.
Each of the six self-adhesive stamps in this issue incorporates the koru pattern along with aspects of traditional Māori culture that have particular significance during the time of Matariki. The collection includes six stamps, a miniature sheet, first day covers, a presentation pack and a premium limited edition publication.
The 2013 Māori Art Coin is the third coin in New Zealand Post’s Māori Art Coin series. Like the Matariki stamp issue, the 2013 Māori Art Coin celebrates the koru as an integral part of Māori art and culture, and as a symbol of renewal. The koru is represented in the unfurling silver fern frond, which will grow into a rauponga. The surrounding artwork represents the domain of Tāne Mahuta, the God of the Forest. Tāne is depicted through a series of koru patterns and is watching over his domain – in which countless piko will grow into established ferns. This coin issue features a stunning gold proof coin and a silver proof coin.
The 2013 Matariki – Koru stamp range are available online for pre-orders at www.nzpost.co.nz/matariki2013 and will be available from your local PostShops and REAL Aotearoa stores from 5 June. The 2013 Māori Art – Koru Gold and Silver Proof Coins are available for pre-orders online at www.nzcoins.co.nz and will be available at your local PostShops and REAL Aotearoa stores from mid-June.
