The Matariki star cluster appears in early morning skies in New Zealand during the mid winter months, traditionally Matariki was a time to think about the dead and release their spirits to become stars, it was also a time to reflect and to be thankful to the gods for the harvest and to eat and share the harvest with friends and family. Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar which marks the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.
This is a non-fiction peice of writing about the Maori New year and its importance.