How well do you know Matariki?
Test your knowledge of Matariki with this quiz and see how many correct answers you can get out of 20!
1. Which star in the Matariki cluster represents food that comes from above?
Tupu-ā-rangi
Waitā
Ururangi
Tupu-ā-nuku
2. Which celestial event signals the start of the Matariki celebration?
Heliacal rising of the Pleiades
Lunar eclipse
Solar eclipse
Full moon
3. In Māori tradition, which god's eyes are the star cluster Matariki?
Tāwhirimātea
Tangaroa
Tāne
Ranginui
4. What does the name Matariki mean?
The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea
The eyes of the god Tangaroa
The stars of the gods
The children of the sky
5. Which iwi specifically celebrates the New Year using Puanga instead of Matariki?
Taranaki iwi
Ngāi Tahu
Ngāti Porou
Waikato-Tainui
6. Who is Matariki in the star cluster? //
The central star in the cluster
The brightest star
The smallest star
The largest star
7. Which constellation does Matariki reside in?
Taurus
Aquarius
Leo
Scorpius
8. What is the significance of Pōhutukawa in the Matariki cluster?
Marks the passing of spirits
Represents fresh water
Symbolizes prosperity
Associated with rainwater
9. Which festival in Hawaii coincides with the rise of the Pleiades?
Makahiki
Lei Day
Kamehameha Day
Prince Kuhio Day
10. What signifies the calm weather and good fortune in midsummer during Matariki?
Te paki o Matariki
Te mākū o te tau
Te rangi mārama
Te ata puaheiri
11. What is the term for the nights during which Matariki is typically celebrated?
The nights of Tangaroa
The nights of Rangi
The nights of Tāwhiri
The nights of Waikato
12. What event marks the end of the fishing season on Rapa Nui associated with Matariki?
The disappearance of Matariki in mid-April
The appearance of Puanga
The full moon of Pipiri
The rise of Sirius
13. What celebration involving food offerings is part of the Matariki traditions?
Hautapu ceremony
Karakia
Poi dance
Maui festival
14. What marks the end of the Matariki celebrations?
The night before the new moon
The first appearance of Matariki
The full moon
The summer solstice
15. What are the 'nights of Tangaroa' associated with Matariki?
The last quarter phase of the moon
The full moon
The first quarter phase of the moon
The new moon
16. What is the Māori term for the first fruits festival associated with Matariki?
Te mātahi o te tau
Te ariki o te rā
Te marama hou
Te wā o te kai
17. What is the significance of the last night before the new moon in the Matariki celebration?
It marks the end of celebrations.
It is the day for planting new crops.
It is the day for lighting ceremonial fires.
It is the beginning of the fishing season.
18. Which female star in the Matariki cluster is associated with rainwater?
Waipunā-ā-rangi
Waitī
Hiwa-i-te-rangi
Pōhutukawa
19. What instrument is commonly played during Matariki celebrations to connect with ancestors and the land?
Taonga Puoro
Didgeridoo
Pan Flute
Guitar
20. What type of lunar calendar do the Māori traditionally use?
354-day lunar calendar
365-day solar calendar
360-day calendar
355-day sidereal calendar
