You are warmly invited to Under One Sky – Matariki Across Cultures, a panel discussion hosted by Peter Field (Humanities), featuring Te Maire Tau (Pou Whakarae), Enrica Sciarrino (Classics), Susan Bouterey (Global, Cultural & Language Studies), Ashalyna Noa (Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies) 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.
Event details:
Tuesday 7 Jul
7pm – 8.15pm
Great Hall, The Arts Centre, Christchurch
*Tickets are free – registration is required.
For more information, head to the website: https://www.artscentre.org.nz/…/uc-presents-under-one…/
