Every year towards the end of autumn Māori look to the skies to the appearance of the star cluster Matariki to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another.

But many others, including on the western side of Te Ika a Maui and in Te Tai Tokerau, will look towards a different star, Puanga. Those traditions have been highlighted in the theme for this year’s Matariki Public Holiday on June 20th – Matariki mā Puanga.

Puanga is the star Rigel, the brightest star in the Orion constellation. In the late autumn and early winter night sky Matariki is seen below Puanga and to the left of Tautoru (the three stars of Orion’s Belt).

While it is visible throughout the year, Puanga becomes especially prominent in the evening sky towards the end of autumn and in the predawn sky during the first month of the Māori new year.

This year the nationally broadcast hautapu ceremony will be hosted by Ngāti Rangi near Ruapehu.

Che Wilson, spokesperson for Ngāti Rangi and leading mātauranga Puanga expert, says “Matariki and Puanga are for everyone, and I encourage people to find out more about our stars above us.”

Every year in late autumn Māori communities gather at Marae around the country in the cold early mornings and look to the skies towards Matariki and Puanga.

Including here at Mākirikiri, come and join us on 19 Pipiri (June) at 5am for our whāngai i te hautapu ceremony at 62 Mākirikiri Road, Dannevirke.