The nine stars of Matariki
Learn the meaning behind the nine stars in the Matariki constellation. Words by Groov’s Jamie Wise.
Matariki, the Māori New Year, is just around the corner. The public holiday on July 14 marks the reappearance of the Matariki stars in the early morning sky, bringing the past year to a close and welcoming the beginning of the new year.
Māturanga Māori (ancestral knowledge and wisdom) is at the heart of the celebrations of the Matariki public holiday.
Matariki is a time for:
Remembrance – honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki
Celebrating the present – gathering together to give thanks for what we have
Looking to the future – looking forward to the promise of a new year
The story of Matariki
In Māori, Matariki means ‘tiny eyes’ or ‘the eyes of God’. The children of the earth mother Paptuanuku and sky father Ranginui were divided over whether to separate their parents and bring light and life to the earth.
Eventually, Tane Mahuta, the god of the forest, laid on his back and used his feet to force them apart. But Tawhirimatea, the god of the winds, did not agree with his brother’s actions. He thought that separating his parents was cruel. He was so angry he tore out his own eyes and threw them into the heavens where they have looked down on man ever since.
The eyes of Tawhirimatea have become many constellations, and among them live Matariki, the mother and her six daughters. They rise after the winter solstice and use their mana – their power – to help the weakened sun on his journey back south.
The nine stars of Matariki
Each whētu (star) has its own significance and story, as well as accompanying wellbeing practices. Matariki represents a whaea or mother.
1. Matariki
The name Matariki refers to both the star cluster as a whole and a specific star, which signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the health and wellbeing of people.
How to celebrate Matariki: Finding ways to connect with each other is what Matariki the star is all about! Make time to spend with loved ones, share a meal with friends or family, or see people you haven’t caught up with in a while.
2. Pōhutukawa
Pōhutukawa holds tight to our memories of treasured people who have passed on. She encourages us to take time to remember them, and to acknowledge their impact on our lives.
Pōhutukawa is one of the daughters of Matariki. In Māori belief, when someone passes, their spirit leaves their body and undertakes a journey along Te Ara Wairua, (the pathway of the spirits). This journey ends at the northernmost point of the North Island at a place called Te Rerenga Wairua. The spirits travel along the rocky ledge towards the ocean where an ancient pōhutukawa tree stands. They then descend down the aka (root) of this tree and disappear into the underworld.
How to celebrate Pōhutukawa: Pōhutukawa is the star that connects us to our loved ones who are no longer with us, so we encourage you to take some to remember them and share stories and memories with friends and family.
3. Tupuānuku
Tupuānuku is the star connected to food grown in the ground. “Tupu” means ‘to grow’ and “nuku” is the shortened version of “Papatuanuku” and means ‘earth’. This star is seen to indicate that a summer harvest has ended and winter is near.
How to celebrate Tupuānuku: You can look upon this star and set an intention to get out into your vege garden. Celebrate Tupuānuku by planting winter vegetables such as spinach, silverbeet, and onions in your garden or you could incorporate some of these ingredients into delicious meals.
4. Tupuārangi
Tupuārangi is the star linked to food sources that come from the sky, such as birds, or fruit and berries from trees. It’s comprised of two words: tupu, which can mean ‘new shoot’ or ‘to grow’, and rangi (sky), an abbreviation of ‘Ranginui’ (sky father).
Some believe that if the stars Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi shine brightly when Matariki rises in the new year, people can plan for a plentiful harvest of crops, as well as berries, fruits, and birds from the forest.
How to celebrate Tupuārangi: Look upon this star to find inspiration for your five plus a day. Winter berries and fruits can be harvested around this time. Such as kiwifruit, feijoa, lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins, and passionfruit. Try collecting this fresh kai (food) and sharing with your community, whānau and friends.
5. Waitī
Waitī (Maia) is the star connected to freshwater. She watches over awa (rivers), roto (lakes), kūkūwai (wetlands), waipuna (springs) as well as the plants and animals that live in freshwater.
As the waters flow, she 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. She encourages us to listen and to learn from them as well.
How to celebrate Waitī: Slow down and take some time to enjoy a walk by a river or lake. You could visit some of our wonderful wetlands with your family or even volunteer with community stream cleaning events.
6. Waitā
Waitā is the twin of waitī and represents the food gathered from the sea. Waitā is linked to three atua: Kiwa, controller of the ocean, Hinemoana, the mother of all marine sentient beings, and Tangaroa, the great atua of the ocean. This star encourages us to respect our coasts, oceans, and marine life.
How to celebrate Waitā: Celebrate waitā by collecting shells with your loved ones along your local beach. You could even brave the elements and enjoy an invigorating winter dip in the sea!
7. Waipuna-ā-rangi
Waipuna-ā-rangi is connected with rain, hail, and snow. The name itself means “water that pools in the sky”. Some believe that the projections of Waipuna-ā-rangi during the rising of Matariki foretell the weather outcomes for the year ahead. If she is not visible, this signals heavy rains and possibly flooding. If she is brighter than the rest of the stars, this signals to people that rainwater should be conserved.
How to celebrate Waipuna-ā-rangi: Connect to Waipuna-ā-rangi by putting on those gumboots and a good rain jacket and jumping puddles next time it rains! If you’d prefer to stay dry, build a blanket fort with your kids or take the opportunity to snuggle up nice and warm and enjoy a good book!
8. Ururangi
Ururangi is connected to the wind. The name means “the winds of the sky” and was traditionally used to forecast the nature of the wind for the year to come.
Māori have always maintained a keen interest in the wind. It was by harnessing the power of the wind that Māori were able to travel to Aotearoa in the very beginning.
Kites played an important role in developing this understanding of the wind. Throughout the Pacific, kites were usually made with aute (the bark of the paper mulberry), which is also used to make tapa. In New Zealand, however, the paper mulberry doesn’t grow very well, so kites were usually made of raupō, cutty grass, or flax. The frames of the kites were made from kareao, mānuka, or toetoe.
The Māori word for bird is ‘manu’ and it is in the shape of a bird that they made their kites. It was believed that birds could carry messages between humans and gods.
How to celebrate Ururangi: Get outdoors on those blustery days and fly a kite! You can find some fun ideas on how to build a kite with kids (and us big kids too) online or even challenge yourself to learning to make a traditional kite.
9. Hiwa-i-te-Rangi
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is a wishing star, helping us to realise our hopes and aspirations for the coming year.
It’s said that when there is a gathering of stars there is a gathering of people, and Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is believed to be the star that can give people what their heart desires.
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is the youngest child of Rehua and Matariki. Hiwa means ‘vigorous of growth’ and i-te-rangi means ‘in the sky’. Her role is distinct yet connected to those of her siblings in Te Kāhui o Matariki (the Matariki cluster). Her siblings are connected to specific environmental domains and provide signs (tohu) in relation to the environment (te taiao).
The role of Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is to shine (to pīata) and provide a light and motivation to step into the unknown. Hiwa-i-te-Rangi represents our aspirations for a prosperous season ahead. She is connected to looking forward: planning to succeed, hopes for future growth, and holding on to a prosperous vision of our future.
How to celebrate Hiwa-i-te-Rangi: To connect with Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, take some time to think about your hopes and dreams. This is a great time to do some journaling or start something new. Join that dance class, start learning a new language, or write down some new goals.