This ground-breaking exhibition curated by Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) experts shines the spotlight on Māori astronomy and examines the traditional Māori societal view of the night sky and how it is being revitalised in the modern world.
Te Whaanau Maarama (Waikato-Tainui reo for 'Whānau Mārama') is the family of light – the celestial bodies of te rā (sun), te marama (moon), ngā whetū (stars), hinātore (phosphorescent light), parikoikoi (gloomy light) and hinerauāmoa (small star). Placed in the sky by the god Tane, they’ve guided Māori across the Pacific Ocean and have played a pivotal role in Māori agricultural, fishing, hunting, building – foretelling aspects of the coming seasons and weather conditions – and in ceremony, language and culture.
Part 1: The origins of Maaori astronomy and how the various bodies of light came to be in the sky.
Part 2: The connection between the stars and the earth, includes images of the stars and various traditional implements.
Part 3: Modern Maaori astronomy, in particular the evolution of Matariki in the past 20 years.
Te Whaanau Maarama will recreate Huiterangiora, the original house that contained the heavenly bodies, and this will serve as the platform for the exhibition.