Mōunga Taranaki captured during Puanga/Matariki – Māori New Year, in Taranaki, Aotearoa – New Zealand. Captured 90 minutes before dawn on the riverbed of the Hangataahua awa – Stony River, Okato.
The magnificence of being in our taiao (natural world/environment) and seeing clear skies and millions of stars was absolutely awe inspiring and epic. I’m currently studying Te Reo Māori and we have been learning about Living By the Stars. This sparked my curiosity and motivation to learn how to photograph the stars .
The Māori word for a star is whetū. It was awe inspiring and completely breathtaking, during a very still period before dawn. The temperature was very chilly at just a few degrees celsius. I feel deeply connected to this river which is part of our Taranaki Iwi rohe (area/boundary). You will see so much more detail in the final artwork which shows glimpses of the water flowing in the foreground.
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A special National Geographic Indigenous Futures Issue came out in the USA July 2024. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/maori-language-nest-model-new-zealand The story I was engaged to capture imagery for was
Te Hau Whakatono Exhibition featuring the exquisite creation of Ngahina Hohaia titled He Ara Uru Ora. This exhibition was created by Māori Curator Taarati Taiaroa.
The Puke Ariki Museum Cinema has been re-opened and is showcasing this new short film to honour and showcase mana whenua, our local hapū
