Matariki quiz!

How do you say "Happy Maori New Year"?

• Mānawatia a Matariki

• Meri Kirihimete

• Harikoa Matariki

What day is Matariki celebrated this year?

• 23 June

• 24 June

• 25 June

How many stars are in the Matariki constellation?

• 7

• 8

• 9

Matariki is the mother of the eight whetu (stars) in the constellation. Who is the father of Matariki's children?

• Ranginui

• Tangaroa

• Rehua

Answer explanation

In Māori mythology, Rehua lives in Te Putahi-nui-o-Rehua in Rangi-tuarea, the highest of the heavens. Because he lives in the highest of the skies, Rehua is untouched by death, and has power to cure blindness, revive the dead, and heal any disease

Each star in the Matariki cluster has a name affiliated with aspects of nature and te ao Māori. Which star is connected to anything that comes from rivers or lakes (fresh water)?

• Waitī

• Waitā

• Waipunarangi

Answer explanation

When Waitī is in the morning sky,

‘Ka kitea a Matariki ka rere te korokoro’;

The lamprey migrate up freshwater streams to spawn.

The Waitī star is associated with sea life.

Who composed the waiata (song) Matariki with the lyrics “Te matahi o te tau,Te kohinga whetu, I te uma o Ranginui”

• Rob Ruha

• Rahera Davies

• Stan Walker

What is Maramataka?

• Maori New Year feast

• A traditional ceremony conducted during Matariki celebrations

• Māori lunar calendar

Answer explanation

The Maramataka, which literally means ‘the moon turning,’ is the Māori lunar calendar, and is the traditional Māori way to mark time.

Instead of following the sun throughout the year, iwi communities followed the moon.

Who wrote novel "The Astromancer - The Rising of Matariki"?

• June Pitman-Hayes

• Libby Hakaraia

• Witi Ihimaera

Experts recently discovered a ceremony traditionally undertaken to mark the rise of the Matariki cluster.

What is the name of the ceremony?

• Karakia

• Hautapu

• Iriiri

Answer explanation

The ceremony involves feeding the stars steam made from the oven.

The ceremony is to fuel the stars for the year to come.

When did Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announce that Matariki would be a public holiday?

• February 2021

• June 2021

• January 2022