Matariki - Stories in the Stars

As winter settles across Aotearoa, the Matariki stars rise in the early morning sky, marking the Māori New Year. It is a time to remember, to reflect, and to look ahead. In Southland Murihiku, Matariki feels grounding and real. Dark skies stretch wide across the region, and the connection between land, water, and sky becomes impossible to ignore. This is a place to slow down, to look up, and to experience Matariki in a way that is both meaningful and deeply connected to the landscape.

A journey shaped by the stars

Across Southland, a series of Matariki pou create a journey that brings these stories to life.

These carved pillars, developed in partnership with iwi and local artists, represent the stars of the Matariki cluster. Each one is placed with purpose, connecting the meaning of the star to the land, the seasons, and the environment that surrounds it.

Together, they form a path you can follow across the region. Not just a drive between locations, but a way to experience how Māori knowledge connects people to place.

Understanding Matariki

Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. Traditionally, it is a time to honour those who have passed, to gather with whānau, and to set intentions for the year ahead. The appearance of the Matariki cluster in the pre-dawn sky signals this transition.

These early morning moments, known as Matariki Pō, invite stillness. A chance to stand beneath the stars and reflect, surrounded by the quiet of winter.

Follow the Matariki Pou across Southland

Each pou tells a different story, grounded in its location and connected to the natural world.

Experience Matariki in your own way

There is no single way to celebrate Matariki. Often, the most meaningful moments are the simplest, whether that’s waking early to watch the stars before sunrise, taking your time as you travel between the pou, or sharing kai and reflecting on the year that has passed.

In Southland, Matariki is not just something to see; it is something to feel. Whether you are following the stories of the pou, exploring the coastline, or simply standing beneath a quiet winter sky, this is a place where the stories of the stars connect deeply with the land, inviting you to pause, reflect, and look ahead.