Ko Matariki e ārau ana | The gathering of Matariki | Blenheim

Manawa maie te putanga o Matariki
Manawa maie te ariki o te rangi
Manawa maie te Mātahi o te tau

Hail the rise of Matariki
Hail the lord of the sky
Hail the New Year

In the past two decades Matariki has become a nationwide phenomenon, with numerous events occurring each winter to celebrate the predawn rising of this star cluster. Our modern observation of Matariki is helping to embed this celebration within the consciousness of the general public, and it is becoming part of our wider Aotearoa identity.

Professor Rangi Matamua is Associate Dean Postgraduate at the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato. He is also a leading expert on Maori astronomy, and as the author of the bestselling book, 'Matariki the Star of the Year' he travels extensively throughout the country and internationally speaking about Matariki.

Rangi will give a two hour lecture that will include images, video and animations and detailed knowledge about Matariki, sharing his knowledge and highlighting connections between cultural knowledge and science.

Royal Society Te Apārangi together with the Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden is delighted to be supporting the Ko Matariki e ārau ana | The gathering of Matariki in Aotearoa and Australia.