This image was taken on the 23 july 2005..winter solstice, shortest
day. The vista over looks the St Clair and St Kilda beaches from
above the Salt Water Pool.
Extra Information
In the Mā;ori language, Matariki is the name of the Pleiades star
cluster, which was important for agriculture in establishing the correct
time to plant crops. There are two explanations of the name Matariki:
firstly, mata-riki (small eyes) or mata-ariki (chiefly eyes). The
constellation is also believed to have been used by navigators.
The first rising of the Pleiades and of Rigel occurs just prior to sunrise
in late May or early June, and this indicates that the old year has ended
and the new year has begun. The actual time for celebrating Matariki
varies, depending on the iwi. Some iwi celebrate it immediately. Others
wait until the rising of the next full moon, or alternatively the dawn of
the next new moon. It has become common practice for various private and
public institutions to celebrate Matariki over the period of a week or
month anywhere from early June to late July. Other iwi used the rising of
Rigel (Puanga) in a similar way.
In traditional times, Matariki was a season to celebrate and to prepare the
ground for the coming year. Offerings of the produce of the land were made
to the gods, including Rongo. This time of the year was also a good time to
instruct young people in the lore of the land and the forest. In addition,
certain birds and fish were especially easy to harvest at this time.
In Hawaiʻ;i, the festival is known as Makaliʻ;i.
 "St Clair Matariki - Click for larger image")
