1. Star Wars Episode VII The Return of Matariki In a Galaxy Far, Far Away Seven Stars Were Rising To Power These Seven Stars Known As The Matariki or Eyes Of God Would Soon Be Seen By People On A Small Land Mass On The Planet Of Earth

2. The Mythology In Maori Mythology, the Matariki (translated means Small eyes) are said to be many things including: The seven houses of the gods where spirits go. They are also known as seven Maori chiefs looking down on the world. There is the story about the woman living in the sky with her children and the myth about a star so beautiful that the god Tane smashed it and it broke into seven small pieces. The Greeks also have legends about Matariki. Other such people who have myths and legends behind these stars include the Indians, Chinese, Irish, Scottish, British, Japanese, Australians, and the people of the Middle East.

3. Mythology Continued The Actual stars in Maori describe one star being the mother (Matariki) and the other six which are called Tupu-a-Nuku, Tupu-a-Rangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipunarangi and Ururangi are said to be her children. Other names for each star include these Greek names. The Greeks believed these stars to be the daughters of the Greek Titan Atlas (who is by Greek legends the person who holds the earth on his shoulders) and Pleone their names are Alcyone, Merope, Asterops, Maia, Taygeta, Calaeno and Electra. Other names for the star cluster are: Subaru from the Japanese (I wonder if that is were the car name came from.) and in China they called it Kimah.

4. Facts Astronomers usually refer to these stars as - Pleaides. This cluster of stars are about 400 Light Years from earth. Matariki can always be seen in New Zealand in the month of June on these dates 2005 08 June 2006 27 June 2007 16 June 2008 05 June 2009 24 June 2010 14 June 2011 04 June 2012 21 June 2013 10 June 2014 28 June 2015 18 June 2016 06 June 2017 25 June 2018 15 June 2019 05 June 2020 22 June Matariki is when Maori Iwi’s celebrate New Year. The Celebrations of Matariki last about three days and include feasting, marches, radio broadcasts, and having a show on a local TV channel.

5. Bibliography Books Matariki by Melanie Drewery Search Engine www.google.com Key Words Matariki Matariki Facts Matariki Stars Websites http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/matariki/default.asp http://www.matariki.net.nz/

6. Matariki Project By John Brinsley - Pirie