Matariki Wayfinding Journey

Hiwa-i-te-Rangi

Southland District Council, in partnership with
Te Ao Marama, commissioned a series of pou
placed in different locations across Murihiku,
forming a celestial trail known as the Matariki
Wayfinding Journey. Each pou represents a star
from Te Kāhui o Matariki and Puaka, connecting
whenua, whakapapa and wairua through
place-based storytelling.

Above: Tupuanuku (Mandeville): Star of earth-grown kai Below: Waipunarangi (Te Anau): Star of rain.

CONTENT CREATOR, PHOTOGRAPHER AND KAIHOPU WHETŪ Richie Mills recently undertook the journey alongside his son, Kweli, capturing the pou and the magic they embody beneath various phases of the sky.

Supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund, this unique kaupapa brings to life the celestial knowledge and cultural narratives throughout the vast Murihiku landscape.

Matariki and Puaka signal Matahi o te Tau, the Māori New Year – a sacred time to honour those who have passed, reflect on the present and set intentions for the future.

At the heart of this journey are nine whetū: Matariki, Hiwa-i-te-rangi, Pōhutukawa, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipunarangi, and Ururangi – there are currently eight completed pou and a nineth Pōhutakawa is underway. Each one is representative of these stars across the region.

Tupuārangi (Rakuira)

Ururangi 

Hiwa-i-te-rangi (Riverton/Aparima): Star of dreams and aspirations.
Artists: James York & Keri Whaitiri
Note: At Howells Point, it is a large toka (boulder) that represents
Hiwa-i-te-rangi. Here, the designed pou acts as a ‘direction
finder,’ pointing Hiwa-i-te-rangi in the direction of Matariki
and Puanga.
Matariki (Pahia): Mother star, nurturer of wellbeing.
Artists: James York & Keri Whaitiri
Tupuānuku (Mandeville): Star of earth-grown kai.
Artist: Steve Solomon
Tupuārangi (Rakiura): Star of sky foods and birds.
Artists: James York & Keri Whaitiri
Ururangi (Slope Point): Star of winds.
Artist: Steve Solomon
Waipunarangi (Te Anau): Star of rain.
Artist: Steve Solomon
Waitā (Curio Bay): Star of saltwater kai.
Artist: Steve Solomon
Waitī (Kingston): Star of freshwater bounty.
Artist: Steve Solomon
Pōhutukawa – to be completed (Bluff):
Star representing those who have passed.

Waitā (Curio Bay)

These pou act as both guardians and storytellers, blending artistry and mātauraka Māori to guide us through the Murihiku takiwā. Through this kaupapa, the spirit of Te Kāhui o Matariki is grounded in place, memory and aspiration for generations to come.

Matariki

Waitī (Kingston)