Maramataka at Wai-akatea Raataa Vine Reserve

Ongoing

Manukau
In Progress
Mana Whenua
Sustainability

Dial into your time and place with the Maramataka dial.

Wander through ‘Ngaa Pou o te Maramataka’ and spend time by Te Puhinui stream noticing tohu (indicators) around you. Tohu can be plants, native birds, insects, the mauri of place or anything that you notice in nature.

20251213 AUDO Manukau Te Aka Raataa Karakia 5518 (1)

How the Maramataka dial works

Set the Maramataka dial to the current Raakaunui moon phase.

See dates below:

The Maramataka dial is a helpful tool and starting point for learning about Maramataka. Let it guide you as you tune in, observe and build your own understanding of the Maramataka.

What are mauri states or energies on the dial?

Mauri Moe - Reflective energy. A sacred time of stillness, to rest and reset

Mauri Noho - Regenerative energy. A time to sit with new potential and discovery

Mauri Tau - Calm energy. A grounding time of being present in te taiao

Mauri Ora - Productive energy. A time of abundance, wellness, connection and planting

Mauri Rere - Powerful energy - A powerful time of high energy and unpredictability. It can also be overwhelming or unpredictable.

What is Maramataka?

Everything is connected, and nothing lives in isolation. Maramataka is the living expression of this - an ancestral lunar and environmental system that reflects the natural rhythms of the moon, tides, winds and tohu (signs) of the natural environment.

Maramataka is often described as a lunar calendar, which it is, but also much more. It is the connecting tohu of whenua (land), awa (waters) and rangi (sky) observed through tirotiro (observation). Maramataka continues to impart knowledge and guide us back to a deeper relationship with our natural world and cycles.

The Maramataka and its moon phases influence environmental patterns and how we respond to them. Maramataka teaches us to observe, reflect, and respond with intention, guiding our practice of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), kaiawhinatanga (supporting role) and whakaoranga (restoration).

Maramataka at Wai-akatea Raataa Vine Stream Reserve

Wai-akatea Raataa Vine Stream Reserve has become a living classroom within Te Puhinui Manukau, designed to support learning through play and connection to the natural environment especially the Puhinui Stream.

At its heart is Ngaa Pou o te Maramataka, a forest playground inspired by each phase of the Maramataka.

The playground is a pathway to learning through play, curiosity and hands on engagement.

Play, observe and spend time in the space.
Notice the tohu around you such as the water, birds, plants or weather.
Tune into what you can see, smell and hear.
Reflect on how you feel on different days of the lunar cycle.
Notice each moon phase in the playground.

Each pou within the forest reflects one of the 30 mata (face of the moon) in the moon cycle. Notice how the height of each pou and the foot notches reflects the energy level of that day. As you move through the pou forest you will notice the energy levels rising and falling. See if you can you find today’s moon phase. Look out for the four pou showing which days are koha (give back) days within the moon cycle.

About Ayla Hoeta

Ayla Hoeta is a maamaa and Maramataka practitioner with whakapapa connection to South Auckland, where she lives, works, and raises her tamariki.

Her work is grounded in relationship with te taiao and a commitment to restoring tuupuna knowledge systems that support the wellbeing of people and place.

Through her involvement in Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui, Ayla shares Maramataka as a way for whaanau and communities to reconnect with the rhythms of the marama, the awa, and the whenua.

This journey has evolved over time through waananga, observation, and collaboration with mana whenua, community, and partners, including the development of the Puhinui Maramataka Dial, with acknowledgement to Tohunga Rereata Makiha whose guidance has been foundational.

Her practice is guided by tohu, grounded in Maramataka, and lived through an embodied connection to te taiao.