Matariki

Matariki is the Maori New Year, when the star cluster Europeans call "The Pleiades" rises in the north-east in the evening twilight.

The precise date depends also on the moon, which is why it is not a fixed date. The rising is also affected by latitude, being later on any given day for viewers further south. It occurs most often in June.

Watch for ceremonies and a big celebration on Maori Television.

It appears to correspond to the obsolete Makahiki festival of Hawaii.

2013 - June 10th

2014 - June 28th

2015 - June 18th