Matariki is a significant cultural event in Aotearoa New Zealand, and it's a time when we come together to remember those in our lives who have passed. It is also a time when we celebrate the Māori New Year and connect with our traditions and culture.

Turning the lights down low during Matariki is a way to reduce the amount of light pollution that is produced in our cities and towns. Light pollution can have an adverse effect on nocturnal animals, such as bugs, and it can disrupt their natural behaviours and interfere with their ability to navigate and find food.

For instance, excessive artificial light at night can disturb nocturnal insects, disrupting their normal foraging and mating habits. Many nocturnal insects rely on the darkness to navigate and find mates. Artificial light can disorient them, making them more vulnerable to predators.

By reducing the amount of artificial light that we produce, we can help our precious nocturnal bugs and encourage them to flourish during the longer nights of Matariki. This is just one small way that we can connect with our natural environment and show respect for the creatures that live in the darkness.