Matariki

Waiti and Waita are the twins of matariki. Papatūānuku knew that they would be able to care for the smallest and fastest of creatures because they know about being a team.

Waiti is in charge of fresh water and all the creatures in the lake 

Waita is in charge of salt water and all the creatures in the ocean

Waipunarangi accompanies her grandmother to the waters – the oceans, lakes and rivers – where she prepares the children of Tangaroa

Tangaroagod of the sea to feed the people. 

Papatūānuku also teaches her about how the water that spills down from RanginuiRanginuithe sky father collects together to provide drinking water for the people, animals and plants.

She also watches how the water is evaporated by the heat of Tama-nui-te-rāTama-nui-te-rāthe sun into the clouds that cloak Ranginui, so that may rain once again.

Waipunarangi knows that if you give to others, all that kindness will come right back to you, and it is this lesson that she shares with us.

Tupu-ā-nuku is the eldest of Matariki’s daughters. She spends her time with Papatūānuku tending to plants. She pays special attention to making sure they have everything they need to grow big and strong so they can produce kaikaifood, rongoārongoāmedicine, and kākahukākahuclothing materials.

When we see her shining we are reminded that we all have our own special time and place, and to spend time growing our pūkengapūkengastrengths, as well as that of our friends.

Tupu-ā-rangi loves to sing. Papatūānuku takes her to sing for te wao nuite wao nuithe great forests, and all the children of Tānemahuta. Her beautiful voice revives the forest and all the other creatures, including the manumanubirds, and mokomokomokomokolizards. They share their waiatawaiatasong, which fills the world with joy.

Tupu-ā-rangi learns these songs and holds them close to her heart. We learn from her the importance of sharing our gifts with others, and appreciating those shared with us.

Ururangi enjoys racing all of her sisters to get to her kuia first. She claims the best spot on her grandmother’s lap and wraps herself in her arms, settling in for her favourite stories. Her tenacity and excitement, along with the awhiawhihug and her arohaarohalove, helps Papa to get into the right mood after the cold and darkness of takuruatakuruawinter, to prepare with her older mokopunamokopunagrandchildren.

Ururangi reminds us that a good attitude is always key to success.

Matariki

But what about Matariki you may ask? Well, she's doing what all good mothers (and other caregivers) do – watching over and helping out her tamarikitamarikichildren. With her support, encouragement, and supervision, they will be able to do their very best.

Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the youngest star in the cluster, the star you send your wishes 

Pohutakawa connects Matariki to the dead and is the star that carries our dead across the year