Living by the Stars - Matariki Series

My role is to really communicate, to share, and to probably show the science in the traditional knowledge …its dual-sided, one side is just unpacking the science that exists within that traditional narrative and show the people who practise science, that this is another approach to understanding and interacting with science.

– Astronomer and presenter Dr Rangi Mataamua on sharing Māori astronomy, Te Ahi Kaa website, 12 July 2020

It's about allowing Māori to be able to go outside and observe the constellations. It's so people know that whole this is ancient knowledge people today can still celebrate and acknowledge Matariki.

– Astronomer and presenter Rangi Mataamua on his goal for Living By The Stars, Te Karere, 11 June 2019

For a long time, we've been trying to produce a resource like this one, resources about Māori culture in Māori. We and Rangi are trying to uplift the status of the Māori language, secondly, we're trying to raise the status of traditional astronomy.

– Co-producer Hōhepa Tuahine on producing the web series in te reo Māori, Te Karere, 11 June 2019

Mā ngā whetū o te marama o te tau e tohu, ā, mā ngā mata o te marama ngā rā e tohu. Ka kīa tēnei he maramataka ā whetū./ The stars of the months of the year are a guide, and the phases of the moon inform the days. One might call this a stellar lunar calendar.

– Rangi Mataamua, wāhanga toru ('Te Tau Hou')

Hei tauira ake. Menā e pūahoaho ana a Tupu ā Nuku, ā he nui tōna hanga, ka matomato ngā hua o ngā māra i ō ngā tau o mua. / If Tupu ā Nuku shines bright, and has a large appearance, the crops will flourish compared to previous years.

–  Presenter Rangi Mataamua in episode 16 ('Ngā Hua o te Tau')

Engari kē ia, kei tua a Matariki i tōna hononga ki a rātou ki te hunga mate, waihoki ki a tātou ki te hunga ora. Kei tua atu a Matariki i te painga, i te whakapono, i te kaupapa tōrangapū, i te iwi anō hoki. He tikanga kē tō Matariki ki ia tangata. / Despite all, Matariki is greater than its connection with those who have passed on, as well as with us, the living. Matariki goes beyond that which is good, or faith, or politics, or even the people. Matariki can mean something different to everyone.

– Rangi Mataamua, wāhanga 20 ('Te Anamata o Matariki')