Matarkik

Did you know that the seven stars helped our ancestors long time ago. There are about 500 star but you can only see the 7 star the brightest. The seven stars name is Waiti Waita Tupu-a-nuku Tupu-a-rangi Waipuna-a-rangi Ururangi Matariki. early in the morning matariki stars starts to shine up in the sky but you can't see it that much. When the maori people see the seven stars it means to them that it is going to be a warm winter.

In traditional times, Matariki was a season to celebrate and to prepare the ground for the coming year. The constellation was important for navigation and finding out about the coming seasons.

When we celebrate we go out to where you can see it the best but you have to wake up early so you do not miss it. You will have to wake up before 4:00am. That is why you need to put your alarm clock on if you have a celebration you normally have a big nice hungi. People that are in a community get together and look art it together.