Ruma Ruru @ Karoro School

Monday, 4 July 2022

Matariki Writing

Matariki and Her Stars

Matariki is a cluster of stars that appears in the sky in June and July of each year. In other parts

of the world there are different names for the clusters like pleiades. In New Zealand you look

up at the night sky and see the seven sisters. You know that it is winter and it's time to prepare

for the Maori new year. Different places celebrate Matariki differently. Each star has an

important job to do. Some of the stars in the cluster are Waiti, Hiwa-i-te-rangi, Matariki and

Ururangi.

Waiti

Waiti is the freshwater star. She also connects to all the creatures that live in the rivers/streams

and lakes. Waitī is a twin to Waitā the salt water star. In the star cluster waiti sits above watia in

the star cluster because fresh water flows down to salt. She represents all the life and food that

lives in freshwater like eels, freshwater fish and plant life .

Hiwa-e-te-rangi

Hiwa-e-te-rangi is the younger star. She grants wishes. There is a special dance and song you

do to get her to grant your wish.Hiwa e-te-rangi helps us to achieve our goals for the year.

She brings positivity to you . hiwa-e-te-rangi brings good luck to you for the new year.

Matarik

Matariki is the mother of the star cluster.She connects to health and well being. Matarkik

sigonfile a time for reflection. a time to remember our genealogy, remember those who

have passed on. She represents our connection to the environment.

Ururangi

Ururangi is the star of whether and attitude.He detriments how windy it will be.Ururangi

reminds us that a good attitude is always

important.Waipuna-ā-rangi and Ururangi have a special relationship and balance each other

out of wind and rain .

By Megan

Matariki Writing

🌟Matariki And Her Stars🌟

Matariki is a cluster of stars that appears in the sky in June and July of each year.

In some other countries, Matariki is known as Pleiades. When you see these stars

it signifies a time to celebrate the Maori New Year. A time for friends and whanau

to get together and share kai and harvest crops. The stars are known as the seven

sisters. Some of the stars in the cluster are Matariki, Ururangi, Waitī, and

Tupuānuku.

Matariki

Matariki is the oldest whetu and whaea of the other stars in the cluster. She

represents oranga(well being) and celebrates Matariki with whanau and

hoa(friends). Matariki is the connection to the taiao(environment).She is the whetu

who will help us remember the ones who have passed on.

Waitī

Waitī is the whetu that is tied to the kai moana in freshwater, like tuna(eels) and

freshwater ika(fish). Waitī sits above Waitā, her twin in the star cluster, because

fresh water flows down from the mountains into salt water.

Ururangi

Ururangi is the papa to the other stars in the cluster. He is the whetu that is

connected to the weather, and determines how windy it will be. Ururangi reminds

us of attitude, and how important it is. This whetu and Waipuna-ā-rangi have a

special relationship and can balance each other out. The rain and wind appear

from above the Earth, and that's why they are placed above the other stars of the

Matariki cluster.

Tupuānuku

Tupuānuku is the whetu that can care for everything growing in the soil that can

be used to make rangoā(Medicine) and kākahau(Clothing materials.) She pays

special attention to making sure the soil has everything in it that can help it grow

plants and crops for the up-coming year.

The Matariki star cluster is very important to everyone in New Zealand.

By Luella Marusich

Matariki is a cluster of stars that appears in the sky in June and July of each year. You don't only see this cluster in New Zealand, in some parts of the world people call the same cluster of stars Pleiades. When you see this cluster sitting in the sky you know it is the New Zealand Maori New Year and it's time to celebrate. At this time family and friends come together and have a feast, gather crops and plant them for the coming year. For the first time this year there is going to be a public holiday on the 24th of June to celebrate Matariki. Each star has an important job to do. Some of the stars in the cluster are Pо̄hutukawa, Tupuānuku, Ururangi and Hiwa-i-te-rangi.

Pо̄hutukawa

Pо̄hutukawa is one of the oldest stars. She is a constant reminder of your loved ones who have passed on. She is the star connected to the ones that have passed and guides them across the night sky. When you see Matariki with the other stars and Pо̄hutukawa you know she is a reminder of those who have passed. Your loved ones will be safe in her hands.

Tupuānuku

Tupuānuku is the star that takes care of things growing under the soil that can be harvested like kai (food), rongoā (medicine) and kākahu (clothing materials). She pays special attention to the soil and makes sure it has all the things it needs to help the plants grow big and strong for the year. When you see Tupuānuku in the sky with the others you know it’s time to harvest crops and plant new ones for the Maori New Year.

Ururangi

Ururangi is known as the father of the cluster. Ururangi is connected with the wind and determines how windy it will be. He is in the sky to remind us that having a good attitude is important. Waipuna-ā-rangi and Ururangi have a special relationship. Ururangi and Waipuna-ā-rangi are positioned above the other stars because wind and rain come from above the earth.

Hiwa-i-te-rangi

Hiwa-i-te-rangi (or Hiwa) is the youngest star of the cluster. Some people believe that Hiwa-i-te-rangi grants wishes and helps us to realise our aspirations for the year that is coming. When she is big and bright you can place your feet in the soil and say a prayer and it will help make your wish come true. She is like a shooting star because you can wish upon her presence but don't be greedy with her. Take what you need, not what you want.

Matariki is very important not only in New Zealand but in some other countries too. These are only some of Matariki’s stars but they are all equally important.

By Cierra Mort