Hina: Maramataka phases of the moon

This week’s focus is around ngā whetu Waitī and Waitā. Within the Matariki cluster, Waiti and Waita represent the fresh water, the ocean, and the kaimoana that inhabit those waters.

Fishing and planting food by the way of the moon and the tides, all link back to the Maramataka. To fish or plant according to the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), knowledge around the different moon phases is needed. This week’s app highlights the current moon phase, along with all future and past phases in relation to date.

Touch the image of the moon and it will turn into text offering guidance – for example, on Wednesday June 24^th, it was “a good day for establishing tuber beds, planting food, and fishing”. So, maybe I should have gone outside, weeded my vege garden, and planted some kumara, then headed down to Pilot Bay to catch dinner off the wharf!

Eel fishing is considered not productive on Rākaunui (the full moon) as they tend to avoid bright conditions. Shellfish tend to be more common after a low tide as there’s more reef or beach to access with a spring tide – which is controlled by the moon’s current phase.

young ocean explorers

The star Waitā recognises the ocean and the kaimoana (seafood) within it – fish, shellfish, kina, and so on. Maybe you love digging up pipis from the wet sand with your toes! My dad used to make yummy whitebait fritters for us kids when we were staying at my grandparent’s beach house near Whangarei. I used to find their white squiggly bodies fascinating. We’d put heaps of tomato sauce on top and sometimes munch them between two slices of white bread, our hands still sandy and salty from the beach!

It’s important to look after our oceans and rivers so that the waters and life within it are healthy and plentiful. Young Ocean Explorers is a fantastic Kiwi site with a huge collection of videos, games, information and quizzes.

I recommend the short video telling the story of Tangaroa’s rivalry with his brother Tane – you can find it here – it even includes a karakia you can learn to thank Tangaroa for his bounty of kaimoana!

Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Podcast channel

Welcome to Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi official Podcast channel, brought to you by Te Whare Reo o Te Rangihouhiri, sharing kōrero tuku iho, historical accounts, and local Māori knowledge as told by Ngāi Te Rangi descendants.

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‘He Hokinga Mahara’ Te Ranga

In partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ranginui, we pay homage to the battle that occurred at Te Ranga, on 21 June, 1864.