When the NRL Harvey Norman All Stars Māori players put on their jerseys on Saturday they will be reaching for the stars.

This year's men's and women's teams jersey design is based around Matariki a cluster of stars also known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters and has been designed by David Panapa.

Matariki is a special occasion on the New Zealand calendar, signalling the Māori New Year. It is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present and plan for the year ahead.

Panapa also designed last year's playing kit.

'I completely stepped outside of the box regarding the design [for this year]. I wanted to create a design based around some Māori legendary pūraku (stories) so people outside of Aotearoa could learn some stories about the Māori world.”

'The Māori figure on the front of the jersey represents Ranginui, the Sky Father. In Te Ao Māori (Māori world) knowledge and life originate in the realm of Ranginui.”

'Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, is represented on the back of the jerseys referencing the land, the birthplace of all things and the place to which they return.”

Panapa says he is proud of the jersey and what it represents.

'It's humbling to see our NRL Māori All Stars tāne and wāhine wear the jersey with pride. For Māori, if we understand the kōrero of the design or the kaupapa, then we will go into battle with a purpose.”

The Indigenous All Stars jersey was designed by Australian artist Carissa Paglino and it celebrates and recognises the Torres Strait Islanders and indigenous cultures of Australia.

The NRL Indigenous All Stars fixture gets underway at the Rotorua International Stadium this Saturday.

Prior to the kick-off of the men's game between the Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Tāne versus Australian Indigenous All Stars, fans will be treated to a mixed touch game between the Māori Wāhine All Stars and Australian Indigenous All Stars, and a league clash between the New Zealand Māori Women and the Australian Indigenous Women's All Stars.

Details can be found here.

Gates open at 1.15pm and the Indigenous women's game kicks-off at 3.30pm, followed by the men's game getting underway at 5.45pm. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster click here.