29 September 2011

Māori Navigation with Papa Tip

“A revival of ocean voyaging in traditional waka hourua began in the early 1990s. Voyaging is an expression of Māori culture that intimately involves Tātai Arorangi (astronomy) as well as many other cultural practices. The practice of voyaging enables the Māori culture to live and expand.” – Astronomy Aotearoa

Navigation Nights continues at Carter Observatory with our final special evening event featuring a talk from Anaru Reedy, Papa Tipua) on Tuesday 4 October.

Anaru Totorewa Reedy (Papa Tipua) is cultural advisor to Te Wananga o Aotearoa’s Todd Park Campus and is a leader in the revival of ocean voyaging. His interests include research in traditional Māori nautical studies, wayfinding without instruments, and ocean voyaging on waka hourua.

In this special presentation, Anaru will discuss the principals of Māori and Polynesian navigation, the Māori celestial compass, and the resurgence of traditional ocean voyaging, all illustrated with wonderful stories of his own voyaging experiences.

His talk will be preceded by a navigation-themed presentation in our planetarium - taking visitors on a journey of the stars, looking at the constellations that guided our ancestors from all parts of the globe to Aotearoa New Zealand.

This event is part of “From There to Here ~ 1,000 Years of Navigation”, a series of special events and activities at Carter featuring navigation and traditional stories of the stars from around the world. The programme runs until 9 October as part of the REAL New Zealand Festival.

Doors open at 6:30pm, presentations start at 7pm. Entry prices are $18 Adult / $13 Concessions / $8 Children (4-16) / Free to Star Pass holders. Light refreshments are included.

More information about the ‘From There to Here’ programme can be found on: http://carterobservatory.org/real_new_zealand_festival.php

Key Facts:

From There to Here: 1,000 Years of Navigation runs from 11 September – 9 October.

Whether your tipuna came to New Zealand via a migratory waka, or an early settler ship….even if you arrived on a brand new aircraft: celestial navigation has played a part. Navigation is the tie that connects all of us in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Visitors or residents, we have all arrived in this country using the celestial positions of the stars to guide us here. Navigate your way to Carter Observatory, and find out more.

During this period there will be:
• Live presentations on celestial navigation and skylore by Carter Observatory presenters included in all planetarium shows
• A chance to navigate your way around our exhibition with our special kids trail
• Special evening events: Māori skylore & navigation (4 Oct)

ENDS

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