In Part 1 and Part 2 of this resource, we were introduced to Matariki and her six daughters – learning how each star plays her own special part in preparing the environments of Papatūānuku for the New Year.

In this final section, we will be introducing three of Matariki’s cousins: Puanga/Puaka, Pūtātara and Hine-takurua.

Papatūānuku has entrusted these whetū kanapa (bright stars) with a different, but equally important task: to prepare ngā tāngata – the people.

Puanga/Puaka

Puanga (for northern iwi) or Puaka (for southern iwi) leads the way; rising well before Matariki, and high enough in the early morning sky to be seen even in the most mountainous terrain. For this reason, she has been known to step in for her cousin where needed – supporting many southern and western iwi, including Ngāti Toa, to mark the New Year.

Through the positioning of her twinkling arms, Puanga/Puaka tells the people of the season to follow. When she points towards the north, we are to expect the kai (food) coming from the land, sea, and forests to be plentiful. A gesture towards the south, however, tell us to expect the harvest to be much leaner.

She calls upon her children: first Whauwhaupaku (Five finger), and then Puawānanga (White clematis), to come into blossom too. Their distinctive star shaped flowers of pink and white stand out amongst the green of the canopy. From late July through to November, the flowering heralds an important turning point – the departure of takarua (winter) and the arrival of raumati (summer). It is a marker which calls the people to action; to begin food gathering activities, like eeling, once again.

Activity ideas:

Pūtātara

As indicated by her red complexion, Pūtātara has experienced much of life. For this reason, Papatūānuku has asked her with keeping a watchful eye over the other whetū during their journey across the sky. She positions herself in the centre of the group at the rear – where the field of view is best.

As the group climbs higher into the early morning sky, she too ensures that all will arrive to schedule. This is especially important in the case of Matariki and her daughters, who have a habit of trailing behind! Once Matariki is surely visible, Pūtātara will step out into sight too. She sounds the dawning of the new day, and the New Year, upon the horizon with her low, carrying voice.

Activity ideas:

Hine-takurua

Did you know that Tamanui-te-rā (the sun) has two wives: Hine-raumati (the summer maiden) and Hine-takurua (the winter maiden)? Throughout the year, Te Rā slowly journeys between the two – for they wisely live on the opposite side of the sky from each other. His progress either way is marked by the place of his rising on the horizon.

It is said that Hine-raumati dwells on the land in the north, with her elders Rongo, Haumia and Tāne-matua. She sees to the cultivating of crops, and the fattening of game. Hine-takurua, on the other hand, lives far out near the southern sea, with her elder Tangaroa. She supports the migration of the ika (fish), such as blue moki, tuna (eels) and piharau (lampreys), as they go back to their birth place to spawn.

At the New Year, we witness Hine-takurua rising into sky together with her husband. This tells us that her short time with Te Rā – a mere 10 days by some accounts – has come once again to an end. Over the next few mornings, she prepares him for his long journey northwards. Then, on the shortest day (in 2015, this is June 21st), she bids him farewell.

Hine-takurua gets out of bed earlier and earlier so that she might still catch a glimpse of the traveller – but from late July, the distance is too much, and their paths no longer cross. From here, the season will become increasingly warmer, and Koanga, the spring, will be born.

Activity ideas:

One of Hine-takurua preparations is to pack a kete (basket or kit) for Te Rā. It is full of all the things that she thinks he may need over the course of his journey. What do you think Hine-takurua packs? What would you pack? Make a group kete, or your own individual one to show your thoughts. Here are some examples shared with us by the Top Centre children (aged 3 and 4 years) of Rotorua Childcare Centre:

Use the shape of the constellations (recognisable star patterns) in which the stars sit to help you to find them. Remember – the planetarium is set to your location, and so you will need to flip these Northern Hemisphere pictures before you use them. You may feel a bit back-to-front otherwise!

Learn more about our ika, and how we go about protecting them! You might like to create your own fishing game with fish that are most commonly caught from New Zealand waters . Make sure to follow the fishing rules for your area while you play. Here are some pictures of the game we use here at Te Papa:

Mauruuru koutou ki katoa o te whānau o Te Papa (Thank you to all of the Te Papa whānau). We appreciate your support in the making of this Matariki resource. A big shout out too goes to Claire Bretherton, Science Curator at Carter Observatory, te tangata e matau ana o nga whetu (who knows the stars).

Our final thanks must go to you, the readers. The response has been huge, and the feedback so heartening. Ko te pai ki a koe, me tou whanau tenei Matariki hou! (Wishing you and your whānau a good new year!)

Ngā mihi mahana,

Te Papa Education.

Looking for more Early Childhood resources? All of our blog posts can be found here.

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