As whānau across Aotearoa celebrate Matariki, one Māori astronomer is helping bridge ancient knowledge and modern science, inspiring people to look to the night sky with fresh eyes and a deeper appreciation of Māori astronomy.
Speaking with Radio Waatea’s Matthew Tukaki, Oriwa (Olive) Karena-Lockyer (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Raukawa), a Māori astronomer at Te Whatu Stardome, shared how Matariki provides a unique opportunity to explore both the scientific wonder of the stars and the rich mātauranga Māori that has guided generations.
For Māori, Matariki is far more than an astronomical event. The rising of the Matariki star cluster signals the beginning of the Māori New Year, a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present and prepare for the future. It is a season grounded in reflection, renewal and hope.
Karena-Lockyer says one of the most rewarding parts of her work is helping people understand that science and mātauranga Māori are not competing worldviews but complementary ways of understanding the universe.
For centuries, Māori observed the movements of the stars to navigate Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, determine seasonal changes, guide planting and harvesting, predict weather patterns and understand the natural world. Modern astronomy continues to explore those same celestial objects through advanced technology, revealing new insights while reinforcing the remarkable accuracy of traditional Māori observations.
As more New Zealanders venture outside to observe Matariki, Karena-Lockyer encourages people to take time to identify the small cluster of stars low on the northeastern horizon before dawn.
She says one of the most common misconceptions is that Matariki consists of only seven stars. While seven are commonly recognised, the cluster contains many more stars visible through telescopes, and different iwi traditions identify varying numbers of significant whetū within the cluster.
Another misunderstanding is that Matariki is simply a public holiday. In reality, it represents an entire season of cultural knowledge that connects people with whakapapa, the environment and the cycles of nature.
Te Whatu Stardome’s annual Matariki Open Day has become one of Auckland’s most popular community events, attracting thousands of visitors eager to experience astronomy through both scientific discovery and Māori storytelling.
This year’s programme features planetarium presentations, telescope viewing, cultural activities, interactive displays and opportunities for whānau to learn about the significance of Matariki from astronomers and educators.
Karena-Lockyer believes events like these play an important role in making astronomy accessible to everyone while celebrating the unique contribution of Māori knowledge to understanding the universe.
She also hopes more rangatahi Māori and Pacific students will see astronomy as a field where they belong.
By bringing together indigenous knowledge and contemporary science, she says young people can see that their culture has always contained sophisticated scientific observation and inquiry. That recognition can inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while remaining grounded in their own cultural identity.
For Karena-Lockyer, the stars remind us that knowledge is both ancient and constantly evolving.
Whether viewed through the lens of a telescope or the wisdom of tūpuna, Matariki continues to connect people across generations, inviting everyone to pause, reflect and look to the future with optimism.
As the stars rise once again over Aotearoa, Te Whatu Stardome is helping ensure that the stories, science and significance of Matariki continue to inspire communities for generations to come.
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