This year’s Matariki celebrations have expanded to include an extra star: Puanga.
Puanga (Rigel), or Puaka as Māori in Te Waipounamu-South Island call it, is one of the brightest stars in our sky and is associated with the weather, season and kai.
Puanga is located “above” the constellation known as Tautoru, or Orion’s Belt – the three stars that make up the bottom of ‘the Pot’.
It marks the new year for many Māori from the west coast of Northland, Taranaki, Whanganui and Rangitīkei, parts of Wellington, and the South Island.
According to matatriki.com, Matariki mā Puanga – the theme for 2025’s new year celebrations – is about “inclusion, embracing diversity and celebrating” the season together.
It recognises that different regions mark the new year with different stars but the underpinning theme of remembering the past, celebrating the present and looking forward to the future is the same.
Extended celebrations
The Māori new year is celebrated over an extended period, as opposed to a single day, according to the government’s advisory committee on Matariki. There is a seven-to-eight-day period where Matariki is viewed in association with the waning of the moon, and the celebration period ends before the new moon, which is on the 25th this month.
Puanga celebration period starts before Matariki but they eventually coincide.
This year’s national event will be hosted by Ngāti Rangi in the Ruapehu region this Friday.
The live broadcast will start at 5.45am on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, presented by Matai Smith and Stacey Morrison.
Why do some iwi observe Puanga?
Matariki rises in the pre-dawn above the eastern horizon which means it’s hidden from view for those on the west with mountainous land in between.
In saying that, visibility isn’t the only factor behind why some iwi observe Puanga.
There are places in these areas where both stars appear, and according to the Puanganui website, the star is important because of its role as a weather indicator and its prominence in the sky.
When and where can you see Puanga?
Puanga can be seen in the night sky throughout the year, but in different locations depending on the season. In winter, the star rises in the east. In the summer look north, and in autumn, to the west as the sun is setting.
Puanga is part of a number of constellations, including Te Whata nā Maru (the Platform of the Dead), Maruaonui te Whare (The House of Maruaonui), and Te Waka o Rangi.
Te Waka o Rangi, a constellation that depicts a great canoe, includes the Matariki cluster.
What takes place during Puanga?
There are two ceremonies that take place during the winter.
Te Maru o Te Tau is a hautuku ceremony held at sunset to farewell passed loved ones. Te Tahi o Te Tau is a hautapu ceremony that takes place at pre-dawn to welcome in the new year.
The timing of when to hold these ceremonies are informed by particular moon phases according to the maramataka.
Glossary
Matariki – the Pleiades
Puanga/Puaka – Rigel
Tautoru – the three stars that make up Orion’s Belt
maramataka – Māori lunar calendar
hautuku – ceremony held at sunset to farewell loved ones and let go of past challenges
hautapu – ceremony held at pre-dawn to welcome in the new year
