Pūtaiao - Science
The library has a wide range of materials on pūtaiao, including Matariki in our Children's Māori Collection and Heritage Māori Collection.
Databases:
We have a range of useful databases, which can be accessed on our Digital Content page. Key resources are:
Māori Plant Use
The Māori Plant Use database from Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua provides easy access to detailed information on Māori traditional uses of New Zealand native plants.
New Zealand History Nga korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa
The New Zealand History website covers a wide range of topics including culture and society, politics and government, New Zealand at war, hands-on history, and resources for the classroom. You can search by topics, events, people, and places, for everything you need to know about New Zealand history. Includes some great information about Matariki.
Te Ara New Zealand Encyclopaedia
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand is the complete guide to our peoples, environment, history, culture and society. Te Ara also includes the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, containing the life stories of over 3,000 people. Includes information about Matariki - the Māori New Year.
Other Useful Resources:
- Matariki - booklet from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori
- Matariki Whare Tapere - information from Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand.
- Months of the maramataka - information about the Māori lunar calendar from Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand.
- Te Ao Tūroa - Māori Natural History gallery at the Auckland Museum.
- Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions - this group is dedicated to the preservation and revitalisation of Māori astronomical knowledge.
- Taihoro Nukurangi - NIWA shares knowledge with Māori communities and empowers Māori business with the latest science.
- Te Papa Atawhai - The Department of Conservation is the government agency charged with conserving New Zealand's natural and historic heritage.