We made this Matariki themed korowai at lunchtimes in the library

"Matariki is a cluster of stars in the constellation of Taurus. There are about a thousand stars in Matariki, but only seven can be seen with the naked eye.

Why is it important?

For some iwi (tribes), Matariki resets the Maori lunar calendar.

Calendars use the Moon to set the months and the Sun to mark the seasons

The Maori New Year is traditionally celebrated at the first crescent Moon after the first appearance of Matariki in the morning sky. This occurs between early and late June and this year it is on the 15th June."

Stardome Observatory Planetarium