Celebrate Matariki Magic at MOTAT: Mānawatia a Matariki

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki Celebrate the rising of Matariki

The cluster is different from a constellation as it involves hundreds of stars rather than a few far apart. There are 6-7 stars in Matariki that are visible from Earth using just your eyes, but with a telescope, you can see why it’s called a cluster! Approximately 500 stars make up the Matariki cluster.

This June, MOTAT is celebrating Matariki with a range of activities to celebrate the Māori New Year!

On Sunday 16 June, our LIVE DAY: Weather Science will highlight Ururangi and Waipuna-ā-rangi, featuring Te Reo Māori Storytime sessions focused on weather and the Matariki.

In Te Puawānaga our new science and technology centre, create and design your own whetū using weaving, knot and lashing technology in the Te Manawa Magic Box.

In our Discovery Dome, space weather and cosmic patterns will be explored with the Parawhenua Kōmaru Solar Tsunamis exhibition. Play with magnets and plasma balls and learn about solar flares, circuitry and more!

Don't forget to look out for our Heritage trams that will be proudly displaying Matariki flags over the next two weeks too!