Ētahi waiata whakanui i a MatarikiMatariki songs

Enjoy these three waiata that celebrate Matariki and learn a little about the background and meaning of each song.

Kia ngahau ki ēnei waiata e toru e whakanui ana i a Matariki, ā, ka ako ki tētahi wāhi iti mō te tikanga o ia waiata.

A group of young men singing on stage in traditional Māori dress

Songs that celebrate Matariki: Te Rahu Tapu a Tāne

This waiata was composed by Ruth Smith of Nūhaka in 2013 with students of Te Aute College and talks about the baskets of knowledge in Māori mythology.

Two men singing with a guitar, one man has a full-face tattoo

Songs that celebrate Matariki: Ngā Whetū

This waiata by Hirini Melbourne is sung by Te Aute College, and talks about the heavens, star connections, and constellations, including the Matariki star cluster.

A group of people facing the camera sitting in and standing in front of a tree

Songs that celebrate Matariki: Mokohuruhuru

This song was written by Mark Kopua, a former student at Te Aute College, and talks about moving from darkness into the light of the day.