Pōhutukawa, the eldest star is also a female, with the sacred role of connecting us to loved ones we have lost in the past year. Pōhutukawa gathers the spirits of those who have passed and takes them to the sky, with our love, grief and memories.

Matariki has always been a celebration of abundance, of remembrance, unity and hope for the future, it's an opportunity for us all to consider what Matariki can mean to us, when we know more about it.

This podcast explains the history of Matariki and the reflects on the individual stars in the cluster so you can consider what it might mean to you.

Matariki is a time to give thought to what we have gathered in the last year, remember those we've lost, and set plans for the future. A time to be together, unified in a celebration that is unique to Aotearoa.

Ngā mihi o te tau hou Māori – The best of wishes for the Māori new year.