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Moana Radio
Waipuna-ā-Rangi
There are two stars within the Matariki cluster which link Matariki to the weather: Waipuna-ā-Rangi and Ururangi. The appearance of these stars in the morning of Pipiri would forecast the weather for the new year ahead.
Waipuna-ā-Rangi translates as ‘water that pools in the sky.’ Māori have names for a massive variety of rain and weather characteristics. For example, the pooling of water on the ground caused by heavy and persistent showers of the winter months are often referred to as ‘Matariki tāpuapua.’
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as the Pleiades. While it comprises over 300 stars, only seven are typically seen. At the end of May this year, we can observe Matariki rise in the north-eastern horizon just before dawn.
Matariki is a time for remembering the dead and celebrating new life. Matariki was a season for manaakitanga (hospitality) that brought communities together. Visitors were showered with gifts of specially preserved food and other delicacies. Throughout Matariki, Māori learnt from each other, which ensured that traditions like arts, weaving, waiata, performances, wānanga and whakapapa were passed from one generation to the next.
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