Activity 10 - Kupe or Matariki facts

Hello, 

For this activity the task was to create a factsheet on either Matariki or Kupe. I chose Matariki as there are much more information sources on it then there is about Kupe. I created small list involving different Matariki facts. 🡇

The list of stars and their meanings

Waiti -Freshwater, waiti is the star of freshwater, its inhabitants and food that comes from it.

Waita -Saltwater, things like the ocean, its inhabitants and foods that come from it.

Waipuna Rangi -Skyfall, rain, hail and snow.

Tupuānuku -Everything harvested from the ground/soil.

Tupuārangi -Food and birds that grow in trees eg. berries and birds.

Ururangi -Wind, determines how indy it will be.

Hiwa-i-te-rangi -Wishing, hiwa is the youngest star and the one people wish on.

Pohutukawa -A constant reminder to think of and remember those who have passed on.

Matariki -Practically the mother star as her main point is the health and wellbeing of others.

Facts 

• Matariki is a star cluster, not a constellation.

• In english Matariki is called the Pleiades, of the seven/nine sisters.

• In hawaiian Matariki is called either Makali ‘i or eyes of royalty.

• In japanese Matariki is called Subaru meaning ‘gathered together’.

• Different iwi (tribes) have different theories/beliefs on how the stars became.

• Some iwi believe that matariki is the mother of the 6 stars waiti, waita, waipuna rangi,

tupuānuku, tupuārangi and ururangi, though this only contains seven stars.

• One matariki theory involves the nine sisters to relate to the tale of Ranginui

(The earth mother) and Papatuanuku (The sky father) where their son Tawhirimatea (The god of weather) had grabbed and threw his eyes in a fit of rage and that his eyes just so happen to be the nine sisters.