Meteors, or shooting stars, are called matakōkiri, tūmatakōkiri, kōtiri and kōtiritiri. They have been interpreted in several ways – they were thought to convey fire to Earth, or to be stars that the sun or moon had struck down. Bright meteors were taken as a good omen, indicating future action. Duller ones were bad omens. Meteors also augured the death of great leaders and the rise of new ones.

The Geminids, known as the king of meteor showers, can produce up to 120 meteors per hour at their peak on December 13-14. This year, a nearly full moon may obscure all but the brightest meteors. Viewing is best from a dark location after midnight, with meteors radiating from the Whakaahu (Gemini) constellation.