“In the Māori language Matariki is both the name of the Pleiades star cluster and also of the season of
Matariki is a marker for the Maori new year, but the star cluster was also important for
navigation. The star cluster was important for navigation and timing the seasons.
The first rising of the Pleiades and of Rigel (Puanga in northern Māori, Puaka in southern
Māori) takes place just before sunrise, in late May or early June.
