Te Marama o Matariki He Maramataka Māori - Hui Tanguru
9th Month of the Māori Year - January/February
Antares is seen rising on the southern horizon bringing the end of the growing season. Berries are ripening on the Ngaio and Skinks are seen basking in sun. Earth is now very hot and dry.
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‘Taua ki uta, taua ki te wai’
‘We of the land, we of the sea.’
This whakatauākī (proverb) refers to the choices made by Ikatere and Tū-te-wehiwehi (the sons of Punga), a reflection of decisions and choices once made by our own Ancestors. Choices that continue to affect our lives and direction today.
When Mokopapa are seen basking in sun, the rain has moved away, earth becomes dry and is very hot.
Mokopapa, most commonly encountered in the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand, are found living in dry open areas where small insects and spiders are plentiful such as decomposing leaf matter and logs, underneath stones and houses, and around gardens. The colours and markings of Mokopapa vary as does their size. They have exceptional senses, are extremely alert and can swim very well. They can grow to a length of 350mm and give birth to 8-9 live young during Hui Tanguru (9th Matariki month), unlike other skink who lay eggs.
They are ‘Te Aitanga-ā-Punga’, descendants of Punga, a supernatural being and ancestor of misshapen forms and son of Tangaroa (guardian of the sea), Two sons of Punga, Ikatere and Tü-te-wehiwehi, fled for their lives when Tāwhirimātea (guardian of storms), declared war on his brothers in revenge for the cruel separation of Papa and Rangi, their parents. Both brothers initially took refuge in the sea before Tū-te-wehiwehi fled to the forest where he became the ancestor of lizards, leaving his brother to become ancestor to certain species of fish.
Mokopapa, like Tuatara were perceived as kaitiaki for mauri, the guardians of life force who protected health, the vitality of trees and the forests and watched over the dead.
