UC Presents: Under One Sky - Matariki Across Cultures

A panel discussion featuring Te Maire Tau (Ngāi Tahu) and other experts from the University of Canterbury (UC). 

Matariki, the rising of the Pleiades star cluster, alongside Puanga (Rigel), holds deep significance for Māori communities across Aotearoa, including Ngāi Tahu, who traditionally look to the appearance of Puanga to mark the Māori New Year. For Ngāi Tahu, the first visible ascent of Puanga above the eastern horizon signals a time for reflection, remembrance, and planning for the year ahead. This cluster’s importance extends far beyond Aotearoa: in Graeco-Roman tradition the Pleiades were seasonal markers for farming and navigation; in Japan the stars are referred to as Subaru, symbolising unity, a meaning still reflected in the car brand’s iconic logo. These shared connections highlight how diverse cultures have long turned to the same stars for timekeeping, navigation, storytelling, and identity, offering a rich opportunity for cross cultural dialogue during Matariki.

Tickets are free - registration is required. 

This event is part of Matariki 2026, where we're celebrating Matariki with talented artists from Ōtautahi and beyond. Bring your friends and whānau to Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre (4-12 Hōngongoi July) for music, exhibitions, kapa haka, wānanga (workshops), night mākete and much more.