Matariki Stars 2026Remembrance
Pōhutukawa
Those who have passed
Kōrero
When a person dies, their spirit travels Te Ara Wairua to Te Rerenga Wairua, descends the aka of an ancient pōhutukawa tree into Maurianuku — the underworld. Pōhutukawa is the whetū that connects Matariki to the deceased; the reason people call the names of the dead and weep as Matariki rises.
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Kaikōrero · listen to the recording of the karakia (Mātāmua narration)
Restrained surface — remembrance star. Source: matariki.co.nz (pending G2).