Puaka

Puaka is the star more commonly known as Rigel.

Puaka, like Matariki, rises in the Northeast morning sky, marking the time of the New Year for Ngāi Tahu. It coincides with the Māori month of Pīpiri (or the return of the constellation of Aries in the morning sky). Experts in the tribe would look for the return of Puaka in the morning sky. Upon its arrival, they would read the tohu, or signs, the star would bring to make a judgment on what the year would bring. They would observe the environmental indicators and make predictions for the upcoming year.

If Puaka appeared to rise to the south, this would indicate a more difficult time ahead, whereas if it rose more to the north, it was likely to be a more prosperous year. The brightness of Puaka compared to the previous year was also considered one of the signs.

Puaka and the beginning of the new year is a time of reflection and a time to send those who have passed in the last year to become stars. This is similar to the Greek myth of Orion. Rigel is part of the Orion constellation, named in Greek mythology as a very handsome hunter who was killed and placed among the stars. Don’t be fooled if you are from the Northern Hemisphere; he’s upside down as viewed from Aotearoa.

Names for the Orion constellation include:

• Pewa a Tautoru
• Te Manu Rore
• Frying Pan
• The Pot

Finding Puaka from Murihiku (Southland)

Like most of the stars in Murihiku, looking north, they travel across the sky and may be seen for a short period during the night or be visible for most of the night before they set. Stars to the deep south do not set and can be seen all night, all year round.

Puaka is very visible as it is the 7th brightest star in the sky and part of the easily identified Orion constellation. It is part of the belt of Orion, which Māori call Tautoru. Another name is Pewa a Tautoru or the bird snare, with Puaka being the berry that the bird is attracted to.

At the time of the Māori new year, Puaka rises to the Northeast with Matariki (Pleiades) to the left or west and Hine Takurua (Sirius) to the right or east.

It is said that Puaka fights for the attention of Tama-nui-te-rā (the Sun) with Matariki, but he always rises more closely to Matariki.

Puaka also marks the beginning of the migration from the sea of the kanakana (lamprey), a delicacy of Ngāi Tahu.

Some well-known sayings are:

• “Ka kitea a Puaka, ka rere te kanakana” (When Puaka is seen, the lamprey migrate)
• “Kua kitea a Puaka, ā kua maoka te hinu” (When Puaka is first seen at sunrise, the fat is cooked)