Matariki kicks off

Matariki, the star cluster that signals the start of the Maori New Year, has begun.
Yesterday marked the start of Matariki for this year, with local iwi gathering at One Tree Hill (Karakia) at 6am for a special dawn ceremony.
Each year Matariki begins on a different day, starting at the first crescent moon after Matariki appears in the dawn sky.
Month-long celebrations have kicked off across New Zealand, with most notable being Stars of Matariki, which is on at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre tomorrow night.
(All photos: Russell McMahon)