Rongoā Culture – Te Huringa
Living with the cycles of the sky, whenua and water.
Te Huringa is being developed as a practical way for whānau and communities to observe, understand and live alongside the natural environment throughout the year.
Matariki is not only a one-day celebration. It is part of an ongoing relationship with the sky, whenua, water, seasons and the natural signs around us.
This is an early testing version. Features and information will continue to be developed and reviewed.
What Te Huringa will include
- moon phases and lunar cycles
- guidance for locating Matariki in the sky
- sunrise, sunset and moonlight information
- seasonal māra kai guidance
- fishing and hunting observations
- weather, tides and environmental conditions
- a personal taiao journal
- regional and whānau knowledge where approved
- learning resources for tamariki, whānau and community groups
Find Matariki
The app will help users understand where Matariki is positioned in the sky from their location.
It may show:
- the direction to face
- how high Matariki is above the horizon
- whether it is rising, setting or below the horizon
- the best viewing period
- whether daylight or weather may affect visibility
Learn from the environment
Te Huringa encourages people to notice and record:
- bird activity
- flowering and plant growth
- rainfall, frost and wind
- sea and river conditions
- fish and animal movement
- planting and harvest results
- seasonal changes
- local environmental tohu
Our kaupapa
Māramataka knowledge and practice can differ between iwi, hapū, rohe and whānau.
Te Huringa will respect these differences, identify information sources and separate approved cultural kōrero from astronomical and environmental calculations.
This kaupapa is intended for Māori and for all people who wish to develop a closer and more respectful relationship with the natural environment.
Free community access
Te Huringa is being developed as a free resource to help whānau and communities observe the sky, whenua, water and seasonal cycles. More detailed regional tools and learning resources may be added as the kaupapa grows.
Know the sky. Understand the whenua. Live with the seasons.