Crossing Live over to Tonga with Visesio Siasau Matariki celebrations in Tonga Live interview with John Pulu

Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster.

Matariki is a star cluster that appears in the night sky during mid-winter. 

According to the Maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of Matariki brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Māori New Year The two meanings of Matariki both refer to stars: mata ariki (eyes of god) and mata riki (little eyes).Matariki Constellation 

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