Ngāi Tahu & Puaka: The Southern Dialect
Ngāi Tahu Puaka refers to the specific Southern Māori celebration of the New Year, distinguished by the prominence of the […]
Puanga Whanganui: Traditions of the River
In the Whanganui region, the Māori New Year is marked by the rise of Puanga (Rigel) rather than Matariki, due
Maramataka Gardening & Planting Guide
The Māori lunar calendar planting guide, known as the Maramataka, is an ancestral timekeeping system that aligns agricultural activities with
Puanga in Taranaki: The Mountain’s Influence
Puanga refers to the star Rigel, which signals the Māori New Year in the Taranaki region. Because the geography of
Puanga vs. Matariki: Regional Variations
The primary Puanga Matariki difference lies in geographical visibility and regional tribal tradition. While Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Māori
Tupu-ā-nuku & Tupu-ā-rangi: The Harvest Stars
Tupu-ā-nuku is the star within the Matariki cluster associated with food grown in the ground. Its name translates to “grow
Navigation by the Stars: Puanga’s Role
Puanga (Rigel) serves as a critical celestial beacon in waka navigation, acting as a primary orientation star within the constellation
Waitī & Waitā: Guardians of the Water
Waitī and Waitā are twin stars in the Matariki cluster (Pleiades) representing the inseparable link between freshwater and the ocean
The Physics of Rigel: A Blue Supergiant
Rigel, also known as Beta Orionis or Puanga in Māori astronomy, is a massive blue supergiant star located approximately 860
Hiwa-i-te-rangi: The Wishing Star
Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the specific star within the Matariki cluster (Pleiades) associated with granting wishes, setting aspirations, and realizing dreams for