The Puaka Matariki Festival is unique to Ōtepoti Dunedin, marking the Māori New Year (most years) through a citywide programme of community events. But this year the Festival has been delivered online, celebrating this midwinter season of wānaka (learning) and whanaukataka (community spirit) on the digital marae.
Go to our News page for the full story, the drop-down menu above and our Events page for our virtual Festival programme.
In bygone days, Tākata Māori observed the rising of the lone star Puaka or the Matariki cluster of stars as the beginning of the New Year: the harvest season had ended and winter days were best spent indoors. This alignment of calendars to the rising of either celestial body is ancient and occurs all around Moananui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific.
