Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea, ki te tau hou Māori. Matariki signifies the beginning of the Māori new year. This is typically celebrated with hautapu (hau -
steam, tapu - sacred) which is a ceremony that provides an offering to ngā whetū, the stars. All 9 of ngā whetū represent different things, and are acknowledged during the hautapu.
Waitī - represents freshwater
Waitā - represents saltwater
Tupu-ā-nuku - represents food from the ground (
eg kūmara and potato)
Tupu-ā-rangi - represents food from above ground (eg
birds and berries)
Ururangi - represents winds
Waipunarangi - represents rain
Pōhutukawa - takes
care of those who have passed on
Hiwa-i-te-rangi - helps you achieve your
dreams and aspirations
Matariki - represents whānau (family) and takes
care of the rest of the whetū