The Dunedin Puaka Matariki Festival is unique to Ōtepoti, marking the Māori New Year through a citywide programme of community events, celebrating the midwinter season of wānaka (learning) and whanaukataka (community spirit).
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-ā-Kiwa, the Pacific.
