We’re excited to share with you how Cornwall Park connects to Matariki and Te Taiao, the natural world through the whetū star Ururangi and the associated winds in our new Matariki exhibition.

Ururangi is one of the nine whetū (stars) within the Matariki cluster; their name means ‘winds of the sky’. They are intrinsically connected to the winds, and their position or brightness in the cluster will predict the weather patterns for the new year. Ururangi is also said to lift the ancestors’ spirits after a long, cold winter, reminding us to always have a positive attitude.

In Cornwall Park, we see, feel and hear the winds as they interact with Te Taiao, the natural world around us. They are a vital part of the ecosystem, determining the weather in the park, distributing pollen, spores and seeds, supporting birdlife and strengthening our newly planted trees as they learn to sway in the breeze.

Ururangi connects visitors and staff alike to the changes of the year ahead. Matariki is the perfect time to make the most of the winds of change as they blow. Explore the park during winter to enjoy a contemplative walk and feel connected to the winds as they whisk across the landscape. 

Stop by Huia Lodge Discovery Hub this Matariki to learn more about Ururangi in our exhibition. Then you can experience the effects of the winds on Te Taiao, the natural world, by making mini manu tukutuku kites to fly in the park.

Manu tukutuku kites are used as a form of entertainment and celebration, especially during Matariki. Creating a manu tukutuku captures a moment in time, and the weaver intertwines stories and thoughts about who they are, where they are, and what their life is like at that moment. As Matariki is a time of reflection, creating a mini manu tukutuku is a fun way to celebrate.

Ngā mihi nui, thank you to Prof. Rangi Mātāmua for writing the informative ‘Matariki - The Star of the Year’ book. It was our primary reference for the exhibition and is an important, valuable resource for Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Mānawatia a Matariki from all of us at Cornwall Park.

Exhibition: Winds of Matariki runs from Saturday, 8th June to Saturday, 31st August
Huia Lodge Discovery Hub is open 7 days from 10am-4pm and can be found next to the Cornwall Park Bistro.