Matariki Reflections: Auckland Fashion Designer and Local Experts Celebrate the Star Cluster’s Influence

For renowned Auckland fashion designer Kiri Nathan (Ngāpuhi, Tainui), the rise of Matariki in 2026 marks a milestone of creative and cultural growth. Speaking to the NZ Herald, Nathan revealed she is preparing to launch Te Pā, the first Māori and Indigenous Fashion and Art Precinct in Glen Innes. She describes the star cluster as a "teacher" that provides a gentle reminder of identity and belonging. Nathan told reporter Joanna Wane that her understanding of the whetū was deeply influenced by the mātauranga shared in the writings of Professor Rangi Mātāmua. This knowledge has directly shaped her professional output, including her 2023 Matariki collection and the art installation titled Ngā Pou o Matariki. For the designer, the season is a critical time for her whānau to connect with the taiao (natural world) and to hold themselves accountable to their moemoeā, or dreams for the future. The significance of the constellation extends into the scientific community as well. Richard Easther, a professor of physics and cosmologist at the University of Auckland, views the period as an annual prompt to refresh our relationship with the heavens. Professor Easther is scheduled to deliver a public lecture titled "Scanning the Darkest Skies" at The Arts Centre in Christchurch on July 6, 2026. He noted that while the stars are listed in the famous Messier Catalogue as M45, they served for centuries as the primary cadence for daily life in the islands before the onset of light pollution. Adding a literary perspective, young poet Matariki Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Hinerangi) reflected on her personal namesake. Following the release of her debut poetry collection, "e kō, nō hea koe," Bennett highlights the ancient connection Māori have with the stars. She shared that her whānau maintains a strong tradition of reuniting during this window, honoring the belief that stars represent both our origins and our eventual return.