Matariki and the Garden

As the winter sky brightens with the rising of Matariki, the cluster of nine stars known as Pleiades, a sacred moment returns to Aotearoa, New Zealand. Matariki marks the Māori New Year, a time of reflection, renewal, and reconnection with the natural world. For Gardeners, it is an especially powerful season, carrying ancient wisdom about growing, harvesting, and living in harmony with the whenua (land). Matariki is a time to pause and give thanks. Traditionally Māori communities would honour those who have passed during the year, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. The whenua plays a central role in these reflections. As Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) rests in winter, we too are reminded to slow down and prepare for the seasons ahead. In the quiet of June and July, the māra (garden) becomes a place not just for planting, but for spiritual and emotional grounding.

Matariki and the Maramataka

Māori ancestors followed the maramataka, the lunar calendar, to guide their planting and harvesting. Matariki’s reappearance in the sky was a celestial sign to begin new cycles. It was a time to plant specific crops like kūmara, according to the rhythms of the moon and stars. Some stars within the Matariki cluster were also interpreted as indicators of future harvests. For example:

• Tupu-ā-nuku is connected with food grown in the ground.
• Tupu-ā-rangi relates to food from the forest and sky, like birds and berries.
• Ururangi is associated with the winds and was used to predict growing conditions.

Each star helps guide the timing and type of planting, reminding us that gardening was - and still is - deeply in tune with the universe.

Honouring Mātauranfa Māori

As we embrace Matariki in our gardening calendars, it’s important to do so with respect. Mātauranfa Māori (Māori knowledge) is a rich, living system passed down through generations. Engaging with it authentically means listening, learning, and supporting Māori voices and perspectives. This Matariki, take time to learn from local iwi, participate in community celebrations, or simply stand under the stars and acknowledge the wisdom they hold. The garden is a place where these connections can take root between people, culture, and the cosmos.

Planting With Purpose

Matariki teaches us that gardening is more than just putting seeds in the soil. It is a way of caring for Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), remembering our ancestors, and looking ahead with hope. As you prepare your garden this season, let Matariki be your guide: a constellation of renewal, resilience and reverence.