Constellations
Kāhui Whetū
In late autumn and early winter, Puanga forms a number of different constellations with neighbouring stars. We use these constellations to mark the passing of time and prompt certain activities. This page explains the constellations Te Whata nā Maru and Maruaonui te Whare, as well as the celestial phenomenon Ko Maruaonui he tuhi i te rangi.
Te Whata nā Maru
The Platform of the Dead
This constellation depicts the platform of the dead, where those who have passed during the year are placed before being sent on to Te Tatau o te Pō, and then to the safe keeping of Taramainuku until they are cast to become stars in the new year.
You can observe Te Whata nā Maru in the evening sky in the final month of autumn, with Puanga, Tautoru (in the vertical position) and Pūtara forming the upright pillars of the platform. It is clear to see and is upright as Matariki disappears.
The platform itself runs horizontally along the three pillars, aligned with Ngā Whata, the centre star of Tautoru. Our kōrero tells us that when this whata becomes visible in late autumn, it is often the beginning of a period known as “tangi seasion” when many of our elders pass on.
It is also during this time that we send our mate (those that have passed in the last year) to Te Whata nā Maru and Mirutai at Te Tatau-o-te-Pō and then on to the care of Taramainuku. There they await the new year ceremony, Te Tahi o te Tau, where Atutahi instructs Taramainuku to cast them to become stars.
Ko Maruaonui
he tuhi i te rangi
Indicator of Rain
This is a waipū (pink-purple) coloured sky phenomenon at sunset and sunrise during late autumn and early winter. It is also known as Maruaonui and occasionally shortened to Aonui. This tuhi (celestial phenomenon) helps to predict rain events.
If this tuhi shows itself consistently for a fortnight, it will be a wet winter. If this tuhi lasts consistently for a month, we will have a wet winter and spring. Furthermore, if it lasts for longer than a month, there will be significant rain events throughout the year ahead.
This aligns with the whakataukī:
Herald open the house of Maruaonui
For it brings forth the Clan of Rain
Huaina tō whare, ko Maruaonui
Ka puta ko te Kāhui Ua
Maruaonui te Whare
The House of Maruaonui
This constellation indicates that it is now time to return inside before the fullness of winter arrives. It shows itself upright at the same time as Te Whata nā Maru and features the same stars with the addition of Takurua (Sirius). It is also known as Kuia Poupou and Te Pou o Hinenui-te-pō. The constellation includes:
Takurua (Sirius) as the apex of the whare;
Puanga as the left amo;
Pūtara (star of Maru) as the right amo; and
Tautoru (in vertical position) as the pou kaiāwhā.
Maruaonui is the house
Rarotōnga is the place
Puanga is the ancestor
The pepeha for this constellation is:
Ko Maruaonui te whare
Ko Rarotōnga te papa
Ko Puanga te tupuna
