A general introduction to Matariki - the Maori New Year, looking at: mythology - a portent, a male star or a mother surrounded by her daughters; astronomy - Maori (Rangimoana Taylor) and western perspective (Vicki Hyde); around the world - ancient constellation recognised in Greece (Pleiades) and in the Pacific (Matali'i, Mataliki, etc); celebrations - feasts, new cycle of life, learning, sacred knowledge; navigation - used as a navigational star by navigators and waka skippers; preserving - time to prepare for planting, harvesting; Matariki today - ways to celebrate

Author Biography

Libby Hakaraia is well known as a radio presenter, having co-hosted National Radio's Whenua show with Henare Te Ua, as well as Storytime with Dick Weir. She is currently directing a TV documentary. She lives in Kerikeri with her partner, Montana award-winning poet Glenn Colquhoun, and their baby Olive.