A young boy loves hanging out with his koro (grandfather). One Pipiri (June) morning, just before sunrise, Koro and his young moko (grandchild or small child) sit high on their maunga (mountain). Koro has something important to show his moko.

First he names all the stars in Matariki, high in the sky. Then they prepare a feast within a pot. There are kūmara, mussels, eel & chicken. Each for stars in Matariki. This young moko then learns about a giant wāka (canoe) called Te Waka o Rangi that floats across the sky, captained by Taramainuku. His task is to take into his wāka the spirits of loved ones and keep them safe until it is time to release them as individual stars.

That time is just before sunrise in the next Matariki. But first their whānau (family) must speak the lost loved one’s name. This moko sees his koro’s tears as he speaks a loved one’s name into this night.

Alas, this moko loses his koro before the next Matariki. But he remembers Koro’s teachings and knows what must be done.

He asks for help from his family but they are busy in one way or another. It is only when he explains why he needs their help that they come together on their maunga to say goodbye to Koro and help him become a star.

What a beautiful story. So much is shared between these pages. There is rhyme, and beautiful moving illustrations. There is the bond across generations and then the passing of custom to generations in between. There is a story of Matariki and one of a family re-bonding below it.

There are words in Māori I knew and some I didn’t. Always curious, I often use the online Māori Dictionary to learn meanings and pronunciation of these words, and have included some of these above as words or links. 

Simply loved it! 

Author – Brianne Te Paa

Illustrator – Story Hemi-Moorhouse

Picture Book

Read a sample here

See another picture book illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse (Click on the Cover)

(2022, Huia Publishers, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Matariki, Star Cluster, Ritual, Custom, Māori, Love, Family, Grandfather, Grandparent, Whānau, Sharing knowledge, Stars, Tangaroa Moon, June, Pipiri, Karakia, Lost loved ones, Tikanga)