Story: Matariki – Te Tau Hou Māori

Dreams for the new year ahead

Professor Rangi Matamua (Tūhoe) was gifted a manuscript of ancient astronomical knowledge by his grandfather, Timi Rāwiri. It had been compiled by Rāwiri’s grandfather Rāwiri Te Kōkau and his great-grandfather, Te Kōkau, a tohunga of Tūhoe and Ngāti Pikiao. The two men had spent 30 years writing down their knowledge of the stars. Rangi’s grandfather asked him to share the knowledge contained in the manuscript. Rangi is now a professor of Māori and indigenous studies at the University of Waikato. He has written books about Matariki and created many resources about Māori astronomy and maramataka

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YouTube: Living by The Stars

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How to cite this page:

Paul Meredith, 'Matariki – Te Tau Hou Māori - Cycles of life and death', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/47474/dreams-for-the-new-year-ahead (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Paul Meredith, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 19 Jun 2021