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Before colonization, we were experiencing our agricultural revolution in Te Tai Tokerau and largely living peaceful lives. And we, Māori, have a natural genius for growing food, using Maramataka as guidance.
The Maramataka is the lunar calendar of us Māori, which means “the turning of the moon.”
Our tūpuna developed the maramataka based on their close relationship and understanding of our taiao. It connects the whenua, rangi, and moana.
By closely observing the environment, those clever tūpuna were able to identify days each month that were better suited for particular activities and to help predict the season ahead. The maramataka can tell us the best days for planting, fishing, and harvesting. It also tells us high and low energy days, the effect those days can have on people’s moods, and how you should best spend your day.
“For Hoterene, using indigenous knowledge like the Maramataka is a powerful tool to reclaim mana motuhake, which refers to Māori's independent or separate identity, autonomy, authority and self-determination.” – Heeni Hoterene