03:20Dozens gathered at Auckland's Stardome Observatory & Planetarium on Thursday to experience the reappearance of the Pleiades star cluster, known as Matariki, which marked the beginning of the Maori New Year.
Footage shows visitors touring the planetarium's exhibits and viewing New Zealand's largest publicly viewable telescope, the Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope.
"There are stories of Matariki all around the world. They're a very significant-looking group of stars. There is no other stars that look like Matariki," explained Stardome Observatory & Planetarium's Astronomer Josh Aoraki.
"The reason it's significant is because it's a reminder of our connection to the land. It's a reminder of our connection to food, but also people. So, there's a lot of representations with each of the stars within Matariki, which kind of reconnects us and grounds us to where we're from," he continued.
Some locals said that the Matariki's reappearance is a good opportunity to visit the observatory and 'learn a bit more' about Maori culture.
"I think it's good to understand their culture and where they came from," said one visitor, Emma.
A Sea Scout leader, Michael, added: "It's a good opportunity for the cubs to come and learn a bit more, for us as leaders as well. Also, you know, the Stars, we're a Sea Scout group, so the Stars have been really important to us as sailors over the years for navigating. So yeah, those are the reasons why we're coming to Auckland."
Matariki is a star cluster carrying spiritual significance to the people of Maori and appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during the mid-winter months. Its' rise after a month-long disappearance marks the beginning of the Maori New Year.
During this time, Maori people reflect on their past year, honour their ancestors, connect with the environment and celebrate the future.
New Zealand introduced its first public holiday to celebrate the reappearance of Matariki in June 2022.
New Zealanders gather at observatory as reappearance of Matariki star cluster signals start of Maori New Year
Dozens gathered at Auckland's Stardome Observatory & Planetarium on Thursday to experience the reappearance of the Pleiades star cluster, known as Matariki, which marked the beginning of the Maori New Year.
Footage shows visitors touring the planetarium's exhibits and viewing New Zealand's largest publicly viewable telescope, the Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope.
"There are stories of Matariki all around the world. They're a very significant-looking group of stars. There is no other stars that look like Matariki," explained Stardome Observatory & Planetarium's Astronomer Josh Aoraki.
"The reason it's significant is because it's a reminder of our connection to the land. It's a reminder of our connection to food, but also people. So, there's a lot of representations with each of the stars within Matariki, which kind of reconnects us and grounds us to where we're from," he continued.
Some locals said that the Matariki's reappearance is a good opportunity to visit the observatory and 'learn a bit more' about Maori culture.
"I think it's good to understand their culture and where they came from," said one visitor, Emma.
A Sea Scout leader, Michael, added: "It's a good opportunity for the cubs to come and learn a bit more, for us as leaders as well. Also, you know, the Stars, we're a Sea Scout group, so the Stars have been really important to us as sailors over the years for navigating. So yeah, those are the reasons why we're coming to Auckland."
Matariki is a star cluster carrying spiritual significance to the people of Maori and appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during the mid-winter months. Its' rise after a month-long disappearance marks the beginning of the Maori New Year.
During this time, Maori people reflect on their past year, honour their ancestors, connect with the environment and celebrate the future.
New Zealand introduced its first public holiday to celebrate the reappearance of Matariki in June 2022.
Dozens gathered at Auckland's Stardome Observatory & Planetarium on Thursday to experience the reappearance of the Pleiades star cluster, known as Matariki, which marked the beginning of the Maori New Year.
Footage shows visitors touring the planetarium's exhibits and viewing New Zealand's largest publicly viewable telescope, the Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope.
"There are stories of Matariki all around the world. They're a very significant-looking group of stars. There is no other stars that look like Matariki," explained Stardome Observatory & Planetarium's Astronomer Josh Aoraki.
"The reason it's significant is because it's a reminder of our connection to the land. It's a reminder of our connection to food, but also people. So, there's a lot of representations with each of the stars within Matariki, which kind of reconnects us and grounds us to where we're from," he continued.
Some locals said that the Matariki's reappearance is a good opportunity to visit the observatory and 'learn a bit more' about Maori culture.
"I think it's good to understand their culture and where they came from," said one visitor, Emma.
A Sea Scout leader, Michael, added: "It's a good opportunity for the cubs to come and learn a bit more, for us as leaders as well. Also, you know, the Stars, we're a Sea Scout group, so the Stars have been really important to us as sailors over the years for navigating. So yeah, those are the reasons why we're coming to Auckland."
Matariki is a star cluster carrying spiritual significance to the people of Maori and appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during the mid-winter months. Its' rise after a month-long disappearance marks the beginning of the Maori New Year.
During this time, Maori people reflect on their past year, honour their ancestors, connect with the environment and celebrate the future.
New Zealand introduced its first public holiday to celebrate the reappearance of Matariki in June 2022.