The Seven Kites of Matariki

It was deep mid-winter and all through the village, preparations were being made to farewell the old year and greet the new. For the first time ever, the seventh little sister, Ururangi, was big enough to make her own celebration kite.

But when the seven sisters take the finished kites to fly them, the east wind whips them all away into the sky... where they now appear as the stars of Matariki to welcome the Māori new year.

The Seven Kites of Matariki by Calico McClintock artfully tells the story of this enchanting transformation, bringing to life the beauty and cultural significance of the Māori tradition.