Carved by local Tohunga Whakairo James Tapiata, each pouwhenua is named after each star of the cluster; Matariki, Waipuna a Rangi, Tupu a Rangi, Waiti, Waita and Ururangi.

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Matariki is a time for remembering the dead and celebrating new life. Matariki was a season for manaakitanga (hospitality) that brought communities together. Visitors were showered with gifts of specially preserved food and other delicacies. Throughout Matariki, Māori learnt from each other, which ensured that traditions like arts, weaving, waiata, performances, wānanga and whakapapa were passed from one generation to the next.