Author(s): Brianne Te Paa

Te Reo Maori Language | Matariki Books | Maori Myths and Legends | Grief Books | NZ Book Awards for Children & Young Adults 2023 Shortlist

In this picture book, a young boy learns about the customs around celebrating Matariki from his grandfather. They watch the stars from the top of a mountain, prepare their offering of food for the gods, and the boy learns about Te Waka o Rangi and the tradition of calling out the names of loved ones who have passed away so that they can become stars. Just before Matariki the following year, the boy's Koro suddenly dies. He gathers and prepares the food offering and asks each family member to come with him up the mountain when Matariki is due to rise, but they all make excuses, and he is disheartened. But when he tells them what Koro taught him, they all climb the mountain before sunrise, follow the rituals Koro carried out and call out Koro's name so that he can become a star.

Ko te Hōtoke te wā, ka whakarite a Koro rāua ko tana mokopuna ki te whakamānawa i te rewatanga mai o Matariki. Ka taka rāua i ngā momo kai kia hari atu ai ki te maunga i te atapō. Kātahi te tama ka ako i ngā akoranga e pā ana ki te kaihautū o Te Waka o Rangi, nāna i hao ngā wairua o ngā tāngata kua riro, nāna anōi tuku atu ki te rangi hei whetū. Ka pahure ake te tau kotahi, ā, i mua tata atu i te rewatangi mai o Matariki, ka mate ohorere a Koro. Ināianei, mā te tama tonu e whakaatu ki tana whānau i ngā tikanga Matariki, ā, ko te karanga atu i tō Koro ingoa kia tahuri ai ia hei whetū.