Maori Star Names

Compiled by C J Hilder URL: http://www.teapot.orcon.net.nz/maori_star_names.html

There are no definitive Maori names for particular stars. The various tribes often have different names and different traditions. It is probable that each tribe had its own names for something in the vicinity of 300 stars, with some names being used more universally throughout Aotearoa. These ‘universal’ names were often used for different stars by different tribes. To further add to the complexity of the situation, some stars were given different names at different times of the year, or when appearing in different parts of the sky. Several Maori star names have been recorded and published, most with no indication of which tribes made use of the names, and most not identified with specific stars.

This list has been compiled for the purpose of putting names to actual stars and groups of stars. Only published star names have been used, and only those that can be definitely identified with a particular star, constellation or planet. Where more than one name is known for a single star, constellation or planet, one name has been chosen and an attempt has been made to select the commonest or most representative name from those available in the literature. The result is a collection made up of names taken from more than one iwi.

This practice has been adopted in order to create a list of names that can be used as labels on a star map. It creates a one dimensional picture of what was once a complex system of inter-related names that were almost certainly used for many purposes besides those we know about today from the literature.

This list of names has been used as the basis for a bilingual Star Wheel, published on the web site Astronomy In Your Hands. This is believed to be the most comprehensive Maori star map published.

Due to the incompleteness of this list any additions that you might offer are welcomed.