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.
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
Te Waka o Rangi
Tēnei te tākiri o Puanga e tū nei
Tākiritia te kupenga o Taramainuku ki runga
Tākiritia te tini o Taramakau e Rangi
ka rere, ka rere hei whetū rikiriki
Ki te tāhūhū nui o Ranginui e tū nei
Tākiritia ki te whai ao, ki te ao mārama.
This image depicts the rise of a great canoe in the sky made up of stars, it is referred to as Te Waka o Rangi. The captain of this canoe is Taramainuku, who stands at Te Hao o Rua (Orion’s nebula) at the stern of the canoe.
The waka includes:
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Matariki at the tauihu (prow) of the waka
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Matakaheru as the two sails
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Taumatakuku connects the waka and the kupenga
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Tautoru at the Kei (end) Te Kakau at the taurapa (stern) of the waka
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Puanga sits above the taurapa o te waka
The giant kupenga (net) that Taramainuku uses to pull in the deceased from rarotōnga to send them to the heavens to become stars during Te Tahi o te Tau.
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Te Pua Tawhiwhi o Tautoru
Mātaia te rangi ko te pua tawhiwhi o Tautoru kei runga
Kei roto mai ko te Tuke o Tautoru
Kei raro mai ko te Tātā o Tautoru
Titika tonu mai ko te Aho o Tautoru
Ko te tari hō Rupe kei raro
Tēnei te tauira ka ū, ka mau
Ko te manu nui nō wai?
Ko te manu nui o Rupe i herea e Tautoru
Ka whiwhi, ka rawe e hai!
This image also depicts the rising of Puanga in winter
The Pua Tawhiwhi includes the following stars.
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Puanga as the blossoming seed
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Tautoru as the bird snaring apparatus
Te Pua Tawhiwhi o Tautoru is a star constellation. It is a sign to tell us that the miro seeds have blossomed and the kererū are feasting.
Puanga / Rigel was given its name through this constellation, because of Pua (blossoming seed) that is to say it is the Seed-Blossom Cluster of Orion.
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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