Matariki

by Harvey

my two questions

what is the purpose of matariki?

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori it heralds the start of a new year. Matariki literally means the eyes of god (mata ariki) or little eyes (mata riki).

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where is matariki?

Matariki is found low on the horizon in the north east of the sky.

what is the story behind matariki?

Matariki literally means the eyes of god (mata riki) or little eyes (mata riki). Some say that when Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother were separated by their offspring the god of the winds Tāwhirimātea became angry tearing out his eyes and hurling them into the heavens.