We’re entering the fourth phase of summer, Matiti Kaiwai, known as the middle of summer. This is when the ground is so dry it opens up and thirsts for water. Just like that, it’s February and 2021 is well underway. Many of us are shaking off the sand and getting back into mahi. It has … Read more
It’s Whiringa-ā-rangi/November, and Matiti Muramura, the third summer phase. Pōhutukawa blossom and kina are juicy and fat! Fish movement increases and tākeke (baby piper fish) come ashore again. The tākeke arrive in this Muramura phase, on the turning tide during Rakaunui. Based on observations last year, the timing would be around Rakaunui in December rather … Read more
We’ve started this month with the fullness of the Rakaunui moon beaming and guiding us into Whiringa-ā-nuku (October) and Matiti Hana (the second summer phase). The native puawānanga (clematis) bear bright white flowers and kōrero of tākeke (Piper fish) and ngā korowhiti o Tangaroa (leaping mullet) emerge from our tūpuna stories. Maramataka is rooted in … Read more
Mahuru/September marks the beginning of spring as well as the summer phases. It’s time to get planting! September is known as Mahuru, the start of spring. The name Mahuru is a shortened version of ‘Te ahunga o uruao’ which means the new generation of whitebait. Guess what the tohu is this month? The whitebait which … Read more
In the sixth part of a series sharing the stories of families learning from home during lockdown, Arihia Latham reflects on the life lessons her daughters will take into a new future. This month we acknowledged te wā o Matariki me Pūanga, the Māori new year. It’s been a year huh. I have heard people … Read more
While Matariki and Pūanga rose last month in Pipiri, they are most visible this month, in Hōngongoi (July). Our celebration of them continues. With thanks to Matua Rereata Mākiha, Sam Rerekura and Rangiānehu Mātāmua for sharing their knowledge. Pūanga and Matariki shine high and bright in Tāmaki (Auckland) this month, bringing with them not only … Read more
Covid-19 has reset our understanding of the world. From this crisis comes opportunity, and University of Otago professor Merata Kawharu (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi) believes it’s a chance to apply traditional principles to our new normal. In a really short time, we have become attuned to doing things very differently. In just a few months, Covid-19 … Read more
The Matariki and Pūanga stars are due to rise this month, signalling the Māori New Year. Rehua will set in the west at the exact time Pūanga rises. So how do we see them and what are the best dates? With thanks to Matua Rereata Mākiha We often hear about Matariki (Pleiades) as the marker … Read more
Haratua/May is the 12th lunar month in the Māori year; a time to prepare for winter and Matariki. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. Kia ora tatōu! As we come out of noho tāpui/lockdown, and enter the moon cycle of Haratua, we welcome the 12th lunar month in the Māori year and … Read more
One way to pass time, which we suddenly have a lot of, is gardening. But where can you get seeds? And what do you plant in autumn? Josie Adams finds out. While it seems many New Zealanders are exercising a newfound love of jogging, some of us are more sedentary. For those looking for a … Read more
Paengawhāwhā (April) also known as Kaipō or Whetūkaupō (Deneb star) is the eleventh month of the Māori year and is a productive time. Get planting! Kia ora e te whānau, ngā mihi mahana o te marama a Paengawhāwhā. March and August are often our most challenging lunar cycles from my observation, and March 2020 may … Read more
Poutūterangi is a lunar phase, usually around March, marked by the rising of the star of the same name, also known as Altair. It is also the sixth phase of summer, Matiti Rautapata. Poutūterangi shines bright in the sky this month which traditionally indicated a time of harvest. Today during Poutūterangi we see awesome festivities … Read more
The blue moki are running and the tuna are returning to the sea. We’re entering the fifth phase of summer. Ngā mihi o te wā e te whānau! We are in the ninth lunar month of Pēpuere and at the end of the summer phase Matiti Kaiwai, moving to Matiti Raurehu. Kaiwai, the fourth phase, … Read more
Hakihea (December) brings clear skies, tui chicks and plenty of energy. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. Matiti Muramura is finally here, the third summer phase, indicating bright blue skies stretched across our shores. We look forward to golden days and bright, starry nights. Our tohu (signs) are the rising of Rehua … Read more
Whiringa-ā-rangi (November) brings blossoming native flowers and delicious kaimoana. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. We are well into the second phase of summer Matiti Hana (see list below for phases). This phase ends around December 8, merging into the next, which is Muramura. A key tohu (sign) is the movements of … Read more
Mahuru (September) is a time of regrowth and rebirth and triggers matiti kura, the first phase of summer. It is Mahuru (September) and many of us are excited about warmer days! The name Mahuru is a shortened version of the name ‘Te ahunga o uruao’ which means the new generation of whitebait. This name aligns … Read more
Chaotic weather and energy in August means it’s a good time to take care of ourselves and our loved ones (and maybe plant some seeds). Kia ora koutou, ngā mihi o te wā o Aponga. Aponga is a month of planting or preparing the garden to lay seedlings in the next moon cycle. It is … Read more
Hōngongoi/July is all about planning. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. The month of Hōngongoi/Hūrae (July) is about getting ready and prepared for the rest of the year. Hūrae was traditionally a time for wānanga which consisted of intense planning, goal setting and putting timelines in place for the coming year. Prior … Read more
Matariki is here! It’s time to look to the stars to see what the year ahead has in store. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. The Māori New Year is marked by the rising of Matariki (Pleiades star). It is a common ‘New Year’ tohu (marker) however we are not limited to this … Read more
Matariki is a time to gather with friends and family and reflect on the year that has been and plan for the year ahead. Here’s a quick explainer. Extra reporting by Leonie Hayden Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleaides star cluster. It rises during Pipiri (June/July) and marks the beginning of the Māori … Read more
Haratua/May is the 12th lunar month in the Māori year, a time to prepare for winter and Matariki. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. In recent years we have seen more activities around June to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year. Haratua has also become a time to prepare for this. Haratua … Read more
We finally reach the last summer phase ‘Matiti Rauangina’, when the Paengawhāwhā constellation appears in the sky and the leaves fall from the tress. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. Nau mai ki te marama a Paengawhāwhā. April/Paengawhāwhā is here and we look forward to a productive cycle ahead. Add the dates below … Read more
The summer is nearly over and it’s time to harvest and store for the winter months ahead. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. Tēnā koutou te hunga e kauawhitia nei i tēnei kaupapa! We have reached Poutūterangi, the tenth lunar month of the Māori year, which is equivalent to the month of … Read more
It’s Huitanguru, the ninth month of the Māori year – also known as Pēpuere – when we move from the fifth summer phase to the sixth and seeds pods burst and release their seeds onto the ground. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. Tēnei te reo o mihi e rere atu nei ki … Read more
It’s Kohitātea, the eighth month of the Māori year – also known as Rehua, Kai-tātea and Hānuere – when the Rehua star outshines the night sky and fruits ripen for everyone to enjoy. Learn more about the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, here. The period of January was often referred to as the Rehua month. … Read more
We are entering the fourth phase of summer and the teoteo are calling out to let you know their chicks have hatched. Read on to find out what else Hakihea (December) holds. Welcome to the maramataka for Hakihea (December). Heading into the beautiful sunny season you can expect to see new tohu depending on whether … Read more
As we enter the third phase of summer, the pōhutukawa are flowering and mullet are leaping. Want to know more? Check out the maramataka for November. Hopefully you picked fun activities from last month’s column and maybe even started your veggie garden. For those who did and planted on the maramataka dates your garden should be … Read more
The low energy day of Whiro is best spent fasting, meditating and cleansing the body. Want to know more? Check out the maramataka for October. Kia ora tātou, welcome to Whiringa-ā-nuku! Hopefully the last few columns have got you thinking and talking about the maramataka. With this latest instalment, we will continue to add mātauranga as … Read more
The second instalment of our regular maramataka column focuses on Mahuru (September). Ayla Hoeta shares insights into the tohu of the whenua, rangi and moana, as well as key dates to add into your calendar for this month. To recap, last month we introduced a maramataka dial which can be aligned to the moon phases to help … Read more