Te Iwa o Matariki
The nine stars of Matariki are Waitī, Waitā, Waipuna-ā-Rangi, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Ururangi, Pōhutukawa, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi and Matariki. In Te Ao Māori, each star has a special job to do to look over our wellbeing and environment.
Waitī
Waitī watches over our freshwater environments such as our pūroto (ponds), awa (rivers), kūkūwai (wetlands), and waipuna (springs). As the waters flow, Waitī sees how they support us, provide for us, connect us, and sustain us. Waitī has heard the important stories that our waters have to tell. Waitī encourages us to listen, and to learn from them as well.
Waitā
Waitā is associated with the ocean, and food sources within it. Waitā surveys our vast oceans, Te Moana-nui-o-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) and Te Tai-o-Rehua (the Tasman Sea) and all of their plants (rimu), whāngote (mammals), manu (birds) and ika (fish). Waitā encourages us to respect our coasts and oceans, and treat their inhabitants like the taonga (treasures) they really are.
Waipuna-ā-Rāngi
Waipuna-ā-rāngi is connected with the rain. Waipuna-ā-rāngi welcomes the winter sky waters in all their forms including ua (rain) ua whatu (hail) and hukarere (snow).
Tupuānuku
Tupuānuku is the star connected with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food, such as vegetables (huawhenua), or plants such as pūhā (sowthistle) and tī kōuka (cabbage tree). Tupuānuku encourages us to consider carefully what we are putting into Papatūānuku (the earth).
Tupuārangi
Tupuārangi is connected to food that comes from the sky and grows up in the trees: fruits, berries and birds. Tupuārangi has long looked over the ngahere (forests), and our native wildlife – manu (birds and bats), mokomoko (lizards), and ngārara (bugs). As well as our ancient rākau (trees) – like kōwhai, pōhutukawa and kauri.
Ururangi
Ururangi is the star that is connected with the winds. Ururangi is close friends with te whānau puhi (the wind family) – including Hauraro (the north wind), Tonga (the south wind), Hauāuru (the west wind), and Marangai (the east wind). Ururangi encourages us to get to know this family well, embrace its strength and prepare for any challenges it creates.
Pōhutukawa
Pōhutukawa is the star connected to those who have passed on. Pōhutukawa holds tight to our memories of treasured people who have passed on. Pōhutukawa encourages us to take time to remember them, and to acknowledge their impact on our lives.
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi
Hiwa-i-te-rangi is a wishing star, who helps us to recognise our hopes, dreams and wishes for the coming year. Hiwa-i-terangi encourages us to hold firm to our goals, and seek out opportunities to see them realised.
Matariki
Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the gathering of people. Matariki is also connected to the health and wellbeing of people.