18 Dec Hui ā Tau Maramataka
Maramataka first began as a Māori system of awareness of the natural environment and its potential abundance. It comprises thousands of years of observations and knowledge and is the science of the moon energies. Traditionally, Māori used it to improve their fishing, hunting and gardening practices but maramataka can be applied to all aspects of life and is viewed as a taonga from our ancestors. Here at Toi Tangata, we aim to showcase maramataka and use it as a reference point for effective planning, delivery and measurement of our organisational goals.
During our two and a half day Hui ā Tau, the maramataka (as used by maramataka practitioners, Heeni Hoterene and Rueben Taipari) falls on the days of Ōrongonui, Mauri and Mutuwhenua.
Ōrongonui
Monday 4 March 2019
Ka rongo i nga mea katoa i tenei ra. Te kino me te pai. Me ngakaunui ki a Rongomatane, he ra Rangimaria tenei. Kaua e pukuriri ki te tangata! He wa pai ki te waiata me te kanikani.
The opening of our Hui ā Tau lands on Ōrongonui, a traditionally productive moon that is favourable to planting food, fishing and eeling. It is a time to remain peaceful and joyful and enjoy the company of the hui participants!
Mauri
Tuesday 5 March 2019
Mauri tu! Mauri ora! He puihi ano nga tuna kei nga repo. Kia tika to tu, me to korero hoki! Me inumia te waiora kia rongo te reka o te waimaori, hei oranga mo tatou!
Day two of our Hui ā Tau lands on Mauri.
Mutuwhenua
Wednesday 6 March 2019
Kua mutu te heke o te marama. He po nui, he po roa. Na te kaha ou mahi i nga marama kua pahure, he pai ana ki te okioki! Me mihi! Whakamahanatia to tinana e te waimahana, e te ahikaa. Mirimiria te rongoa kakara, he pai nga whakaoriori puoro, a, e moe! He ra ano apopo!
Our third and final day of the Hui ā Tau falls on Mutuwhenua, when the moon has completed its descent and the skies will be left in darkness. It is a fitting day to come to the end of our conference as it is a time of reflection of the mahi of the previous month, low energy, rest, relaxation and planning. It is a nice time to wind down on the deck of the Perfect Day for the Hinemoana & Tangaroa Workshop before our safe travels home. We can give ourselves a pat on the back and a well deserved rest!
Because the maramataka uses tohu (signs), different parts of the country will have different tohu relevant to their area. For example, inland iwi wouldn’t necessarily have the same tohu as those living on the coast. The stars visible at the top of the North Island can at times be different to the stars visible in the South Island. There are hundreds of variations of the maramataka, with slight differences to names of days and phases. The above version of the maramataka is a variation commonly used in Te Tai Tokerau.