Matariki, the ‘Maori New Year’ is a celebration unique to New Zealand. Te Papa's Matariki Maramataka is the perfect way to mark its beginning – as well as celebrating New Zealand's distinctive indigenous culture and natural world all through the year. The calendar runs from June 2012, when the star formation known as Matariki (the Pleiades) officially appears in the sky, through to May 2013. Each tribe had its own lore around Matariki, a time for considering the rhythms of the land and how to protect and sustain resources. Connected with this were the protocols that taught people how to live in balance with the natural world. This year's calendar is packed full of proverbs and korero that celebrate and revive these principles and highlight their relevance today. Images include Te Papa's precious taonga, activities from contemporary Maori life and scenes of our beautiful country through the seasons. Throughout June and July there are Matariki festivals around New Zealand, but it is also a time for reflection and planning for the year to come. This calendar teaches people of all ages about life for traditional Maori and their relationship with the natural world – as well as how to connect with Matariki in modern times.
