The mid June solstice marks the Southern Hemishpere beginning of Winter and Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice takes place on June 21, 2012 at 11:09 UTC+12 (Universal Time).
Matariki is the Maori name for the small cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, in the Taurus constellation. In New Zealand it comes into view low on the north-eastern horizon, appearing in the tail of the Milky Way in the last days of May or in early June, just before dawn. This heralds the Maori New Year.
Various Maori tribes celebrated Matariki at different times. Some held festivities when Matariki was first seen in the dawn sky; others celebrated after the full moon rose or at the beginning of the next new moon.
For all tribes, the importance of Matariki has been captured in proverbs and songs, which link it with the bright star Wha-nui (Vega):
Ka puta Matariki ka rere Wha-nui.
Ko te tohu te-na- o te tau e!
Matariki re-appears, Wha-nui starts its flight.
Being the sign of the [new] year!
Matariki is also associated with the winter solstice. It appears when the sun, drifting north on the shortest day in winter, reaches the north-eastern end of the horizon. The sun then turns around and begins its journey south.
Where
Skipping Bull Bar &Steakhouse
207-209 Main Road
Tawa
When: 6pm onwards
This is an opportunity to meet the people behind some of the caches/logs in the Wellington region again.
As always new faces are most welcome as event caches are a great way to meet fellow geocachers. A chance to meet and greet and shake off the winter blues
We would love to meet all the new cachers that have started caching this year as well as all the cachers that have recently moved into Wellington this year.
Please post a "will attend" log if you plan to come with approximate numbers, so we can give the Restaurant an idea of how many people may turn up.
Free parking around Tawa and close to the Tawa railway station(3 minutes) and buses for those who wish to use public transport.
More info can be found at Link to tranzmetro. This is for those who need to plan their trip if taking buses or trains.
The restaurant opens for dinner from 5pm - to assist the kitchen we request that dinner orders be in by 6:30pm
Keep your eye on the web page for more details.