Whats on around Otago

Me Whakawhanaunga 

Maramataka: Mutuwhenua

Monday 8 October

The moon phase today is called Mutuwhenua – it’s the last day of the lunar cycle. We suggest focusing on connecting with your whānau, friends and community in nature.

Focus on connecting with nature to uplift your wairua/spirit and those around you.

• Connect with Papatūānuku/Mother Earth. Go barefoot and feel her under your feet.
• Connect with Ranginui/Sky Father by lying on Papatūānuku and observe what is happening above.
• Organise a gathering in nature and relax with whānau, friends and your community to uplift your wairua/spirit.
• Create things made with your own hands – for example, use natural material to make art. Think seaweed, shell, sand and flowers.
• Create a green space in your school, office or home with plants.

Tukua

Maramataka: Ouenuku

Friday 12 October

This is the fourth night of the lunar month. Today is a good day to rekindle your connections with nature, re-tell stories with whānau and give back.

Nature provides for us – it gives us everything we need to not only survive but thrive. We, in turn, have a kaitiaki/guardianship role to give back to nature for future generations.

• Gift your harvest – collect kawakawa and make tea for a friend.
• Give your time, your words, your presence to others.
• Prepare and share food together – build a hāngi and gather your whānau.
• Volunteer at an organised beach clean-up or do your own. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and keep Aotearoa beautiful! Here's some tips on how to go about organising one.
• Volunteer for DOC, or another nature-related charity close to your heart.
• Challenge yourself to produce less waste. It’s amazing to see how much you use each day that isn’t necessary! Here's some ideas on how to reduce, reuse and recycle.

 Me aro tonu

Maramataka: Tirea

Wednesday 10 October

The new moon is beginning to expand ever so slightly and can just be seen. See nature through a different lens and take some time to Take Notice and be inspired by what’s happening around you.

• Take notice of the natural world around you by playing a game of nature eye-spy.
• Go for a walk and see how many native plants you notice. Harakeke/flax, Puriri, Totara or Rengarenga.
• Be inspired by the night sky and how the visible constellations change throughout the year.
• Take a selfie with the different manu/birds in your area.
• Bring a native plant into your workplace or school and ensure you take time to nurture it.
• Take notice of your senses in your current environment: what can you smell, taste, hear, touch and see?
• Take natural resources from your special place in nature. Take notice of these during your day.

Me ako tonu

Maramataka: Whiro

Tuesday 9 October

The moon phase today is called Whiro, the new moon, the beginning of the new moon cycle. A day where activity was minimal, a day for wananga/learning. This makes Tuesday a great day to Keep Learning.

• Learn (or share with others) where you are from: your maunga/mountain, awa/river, whenua/land and marae.
• Share fun and interesting facts about traditional Māori places. Learn the te reo Māori names of mountains and learn the meaning behind them.
• Awaken yourself to one whakataukī/Māori proverb or waiata/song about nature.
• Learn the names of New Zealand’s native plants.
• Learn how the natural environment can help heal you, i.e. rongōa/traditional Māori medicine. What natural resources have you got in your backyard that could be used for medicinal or edible purposes?
• Create a worm farm in your backyard.
• Listen and learn the "tangi of the manu" - different calls of birds.
• Learn what native creatures live in and around your home, workplace and waterways. 
• Learn about different creative stories and the connection between the natural world and people.

Me kori tonu

Maramataka: Ohoata

Thursday 11 October

Today is a very good day for fishing, eeling and crayfishing, and a good day for planting which means it’s a great day to Be Active! Getting outside and exercising is good for your overall health and wellbeing and strengthens your connection with nature.

Remember to encourage people to be as physically active as their fitness and mobility allow. You don’t have to run a marathon to be active!

• Enjoy the fresh air and play! Notice the trees, clouds and sky.
• Climb your maunga/mountain or swim in your awa/river or moana/sea.
• Join in on a team sport and meet people at the same time – tennis, bowls, touch rugby, fishing, hunting or waka ama.
• Bring activity into the everyday. E.g. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to colleagues to talk with them instead of phoning and get off the bus one stop earlier than your stop.
• Take a whānau walk after dinner. Let family members take turns to choose where to go.
• Dive into nature so she can give you sustenance!