Willa Black Prints NZ - Matariki Guide
Matariki - The Maori New Year
What it is, why it matters, the nine stars and how to choose meaningful art to mark the season.
As the nights grow longer and the winter sky sharpens over Aotearoa, something special begins to rise before dawn. Matariki marks the beginning of the Maori New Year - a time of remembrance, reflection, connection and renewal. It is not simply a celebration. It is a deeply meaningful cultural moment grounded in whakapapa, the natural world and collective wellbeing.
A star cluster that marks the new year
Matariki is a cluster of stars also known internationally as the Pleiades. In Aotearoa, its first rising during winter signals the beginning of the Māori New Year. Traditionally, Māori communities observed the stars to guide planting, harvesting and seasonal planning - the brightness and clarity of the stars believed to carry meaning for the season ahead.
But Matariki has always represented far more than astronomy. It is a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present, gather with whānau and community, and look forward with hope and intention. At its heart, Matariki is about connection - to people, to place and to the rhythms of te taiao, the natural world.
Today, Matariki is increasingly embraced across Aotearoa as a season to slow down, gather with loved ones and reconnect with what matters most.
Remembrance, renewal and the stars
For Māori, Matariki carries deep spiritual and cultural significance. The season encourages reflection on the people who came before us while creating space for gratitude and renewal. Traditionally, communities gathered to share kai, tell stories, sing waiata and honour loved ones who had passed during the previous year.
Matariki also reflects an important Māori worldview - that people are connected to the environment, the stars, waterways, food sources and one another. This relationship between the stars and the living world is one reason Matariki feels so grounding. It reminds us that renewal is not rushed. Winter becomes a season for reflection before growth begins again.
Each star within the Matariki cluster has its own meaning and area of influence - together representing different parts of life and wellbeing.
The 2024 edition of this annual Matariki print celebrates the nine stars in a contemporary Maori-inspired visual language. Designed to mark the season with intention, this print holds both cultural depth and strong graphic presence. A meaningful piece for the home and a considered gift for anyone who connects with Aotearoa identity and the spirit of the Maori New Year.
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The 2025 Edition Matariki print - the work that began this annual series. Rooted in the same cultural kaupapa as the earlier edition, this piece brings a slightly different visual interpretation of the stars and their significance. An ideal choice for collectors who want the earlier edition or anyone drawn to its particular composition and tone.
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From the Te Ao Pango collection, this abstract black-and-white interpretation of Matariki takes a bolder, more graphic direction. Strong contrast, contemporary form and deep cultural reference make it one of the most visually striking pieces in the range. Sits beautifully in modern interiors and works equally well as a statement piece or a considered seasonal gift with lasting presence.
View this print →"Meaningful gifts are rarely the loudest ones. Often they are the pieces chosen slowly and intentionally - the ones that continue telling a story long after the season has passed." Willa Black Prints
Think about feeling, not trend
Some people are drawn to calming landscape prints that create stillness and reflection. Others connect with bold contemporary Maori-inspired artwork that carries strength, identity and presence. Black-and-white pieces feel timeless and grounding, while earthy palettes suit winter interiors beautifully during the Matariki season. The most important thing is that the artwork feels intentional.
Match the print to the person and their home
Large statement pieces make memorable gifts for homes entering a new chapter - housewarmings, weddings or milestone birthdays. Smaller framed prints can carry enormous meaning when chosen thoughtfully. Think about the scale of their wall, the tones already in the room, and whether they prefer something commanding or something quiet. The right choice lands differently from a generic gift the moment they open it.
Choose between the three editions
The original edition suits those drawn to the series from the beginning or who prefer a warmer interpretation. The 2025 edition works for anyone marking the current season with a specific, dateable piece. The Te Ao Pango abstract is the strongest choice for modern, minimal interiors where bold graphic presence matters as much as cultural meaning. You can also shift from just black and white to a Sage or Blush
Art that creates a home reflecting connection
Matariki reminds us that our homes are more than styled spaces. They are places where stories are carried, memories are held and people gather together. Prints inspired by Aotearoa landscapes, Maori design and contemporary storytelling help create interiors that feel connected rather than generic. They bring warmth, grounding and a sense of place into everyday life - and that is exactly what Matariki asks us to create.
Matariki as more than a seasonal purchase
The best Matariki gifts are not chosen because it is the season to buy. They are chosen because the piece holds genuine meaning - for the person giving, the person receiving, and the home it will live in. Art that connects to whakapapa, te taiao and Aotearoa identity does not date with the calendar. It becomes part of the story of the space - and that is always worth choosing with intention.
Willa Black Prints NZ
Mark the season with something that lasts.
Explore all three Matariki prints - made to order with custom sizing and framing, shipped across NZ and Australia.
