25/06/2026
For our members and followers who do not get the Hikurangi Community Bulletin- here is our most recent article, which is about Matariki and Puanga. Each month our volunteers write about some aspect of local history to be published in the Hikurangi community Bulletin. This month's article was a joint effort, written by Whaea Ani Hemara and Emily Hauraki-Cooper. Ngā mihi nui ki a kourua. Thanks also to Friendship House, in particular Linda Vanstone (another museum volunteer), for their mahi in producing the Hikurangi Community Bulletin each month. Read on....
"As winter arrives, we begin to look towards Matariki, a special time that marks the Māori New Year.
Matariki is often translated as "the tiny eyes of Matariki" or "the eyes of God" and is associated with a beautiful story from te ao Māori. In the beginning, Ranginui the Sky Father and Papatūānuku the Earth Mother loved and held each other tightly. Their many children lived in darkness, cramped between them. Wanting light and space to grow, the children agreed that their parents should be separated. After many attempts, Tāne Mahuta lay on his back and pushed Ranginui upwards with his strong legs, creating the world of light we know today.
One tradition tells us that Tāwhirimātea, the atua of the winds, was angered by the separation. In his grief and rage, he tore out his eyes and cast them into the heavens, where they became the stars of Matariki.
Today, the cluster is commonly recognised as nine stars: Matariki, the mother star, representing reflection and wellbeing; Waitī, connected to freshwater food sources; Waitā, associated with the ocean and seafood; Waipunarangi, linked to rain and growth; Ururangi, guardian of the winds and weather; Tupuānuku, connected to food grown in the soil; Tupuārangi, associated with food gathered from above, such as birds and fruit; Pōhutukawa, the star of remembrance for those who have passed on; and Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, the star of hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the year ahead.
Puanga is a single star. It’s not part of the Matariki cluster but appears in the evening sky shortly before Matariki rises each year. Puanga rises higher in the sky than Matariki so it’s recognised by iwi and hapū that can’t see Matariki from their location.
We look forward to sharing these stories and more at this year's Hikurangi Matariki festival. Come and visit the Hikurangi Museum stall and celebrate the season of new beginnings with us.
Contact us by email - [email protected] or follow us on Facebook. And visit the Hikurangi Museum website hikurangimuseum.org.nz
The museum is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am – 11.30am or by appointment.
Hikurangi Museum – AGM: 9am on the 18th of July at the museum.
Everyone is welcome! "
