The sixth month (October-November)
Whiringa-a-rangi
The summer has arrived. The strength of the sun is felt.
The stars
The stars that are the guides for the seasons are eternal and are ever flashing in the heavens. Patiki (Whetu-kaupo, theCoalsack Nebula) a very dark patch in the sky near Te Punga (Marere-o-tonga, The Southern Cross) and was spoken of as if it was a star. In the evening in October and November, Patiki is low on the horizon.
This is the season when the Greenback flounder and the Sand flounder (diamond flounder, dab) are both spawning in the warmer coastal and estuarine waters and can be taken with nets or by spearing.
The stars were markers of the months and it was thought that they indicated the nature of the coming seasons. As the stars are unable to shift the tohunga(experienced observer) must have been studying the effect of the atmosphere on the appearance of the star.
It was said that when Autahi was seen standing far out from the Milky Way about October a dry summer would follow; if close to it an inclement season followed.
Rehua (Antares), the ripener, was associated with the heat of summer
“How excellent are the foods ripened by Rehua”. This Rehua (Antares) was viewed ad the ripener of fruits, even as he causes the feeling of lassitude that comes to all creatures during the heat of summer. Hence the Maori says that all fruits ripen, all plants flower through the influence of Rehua.
The Maru (garden)
Maori consulted those sign-giving stars in connection with the planting of the kumara crop. The principal stars relied on were Puanga (Rigel), Matariki(the Pleiades), Tautoru(Orion’s Belt) and Whakaahu (Castor and Pollux). According to the manner of their rising, the crops would be planted early or late.
Autahi (Canopus) appears toward the south (high in the south in the morning sky) in the month when the kumara is planted, and its appearance was a sign for the task of planting the crop to be commenced.
There were other signs as well. When the kumara hou (Promaderris elliptica), which had been in bud all the winter, suddenly shot out into flower it was known that the kumara planting season was approaching, and when a “mackerel sky” showed an exact picture of a kumara plot extending across the heavens, the Maoris knew that the atua (gods) were busy at their planting above and they themselves should be doing the same below. A mackerel sky indicates changeable weather.
The planting usually first began October and extended more or less up to Christmas, according to the variation of the season, the state of the weather, the locality, and the condition of the soil. Sometimes the tara and gourd were planted far from the kumara crops, but sometimes they were grown in the same field, but not together. The taro might be grown in damp soil near streams, while the kumara, which thrives in drier, lighter soil was grown in higher ground.
The cultivations of smaller communities were often widely separated for political reasons. They were always subject to the sudden visit of a taua mara (plundering party). Large cultivations only existed in very stable, well protected areas.
“Ka mate kainga tahi, ka ora kainga rua
Single homed folk perish, or are overtaken by disaster, when two-homed people survive.”
Elsdon Best: Agriculture of the Maori, page 33
Until the kumara formed runners, the weeds and hard clods were carefully removed and cast to the sides and back of the field. That part of the field facing the rising sun was kept free to allow the sun and air to reach the plants. In those days, the troublesome European weeds were not a problem. Once the runners formed great care was taken not to damage them. To open the soil and protect the runners from wet, gravel was sometimes laid between the mounds. If not, then when it rained, fresh herbage was carefully placed under the runners.
When the crop was well sprouted, certain articles of food were taken into the field before dawn and held up and offered to Matariki (the Pleiades), afterwards being left hanging in a nearby tree
The light demanding Kakabeak, (Kowhai ngutukaka, Clianthus puniceus)
was cultivated by the Maori in their gardens, perhaps to encourage the Korimako. Korimako eats a variety of berries, insects, and nectar and nests in spring. It prefers to nest in the branches of a shrub or small tree or in the fronds of a treefern, although some nests can be found high in the canopy. A population of Korimako next to a plantation would have helped to reduce the depredations of the kumera grub.
Kawakawa, Pepper tree (Macropiper excelsum)
. The bitter root was used for urinary complaints. The leaf and bark were cures for cuts, wounds and pains in the stomach. It was said to be stimulating. The fruit and seeds, ripe or unripe were more powerful than the leaves. It was used as an aromatic diuretic and a counterirritant in toothache. A decoction of the leaves was drunk for boils; the leaves were wilted of a fire to free the oil and applied to boils. The leaf was used for a skin disease; and a decoction of boiled leaves was drunk for kidney trouble and as a general tonic. Hot liquid from the boiled kawakawa leaves was used for serious bruises and colds. The leaves were reduced toa (pulp) in hot water and applied to the face when swollen and any part of the body for rheumatic pains. A decoction of leaves and young twigs was broken up in hot water and taken for stomach pains. The juice from roasted leaves was used as a dressing for wounds. A concoction of leaves was used as a blood purifier and for bladder complains. The rip fruit and the liquid from boiled roots were applied to sore teeth.
The green leaves and branches were gathered by the Maori and laid in rows in the plantations of kumara between the beds and there burnt so that insects which injured the growing plants might be destroyed by the disagreeable bitter smoke.
Bracken
Rahurahu, (rarahu, rarauhe, marohi, takaka, bracken, Pteridium esculentum)
“The Waipa country is noted for its fine fern root, which is generally found in rich alluvial soil, on the banks of rivers, or in deep valleys; some of the choicest spots are declared tapu to ensure a supply, and fierce quarrels have happened between different tribes, from these spots having been set on fire. Much pain is taken in selecting it, the roots are dug up in August and September, and only those are taken which are eighteen inches below the ground The small fibres are stripped off and they are roasted at a fire and become very palatable.” (Johnson, NZ medicinal plants, page 74-5)
The root was used as food for invalids and was eaten before a sea voyage to prevent sea sickness. Ashes and charcoal dust of burnt fronds were applied to severe burns. The frond was used by the Maori priest to expel a demon from a sick person and the tender shoot was eaten to cure dysentery. Fern root was also masticated for dysentery. It has been reported that a decoction of fern root prepared by the Maori was effective in the influenza epidemic of 1918-19.
Fresh, young shoots of bracken were eaten by the Maori and although there are no records of stomach cancer in pre-European Maori, the shoots contain a carcinogenic compound.
The bush
In the forest, few maturing fruits are edible. The juicy dark purple to black berries of the Kotukutuku, (Kohutuhutu, Tree Fuchsia, Fuchsia excorticata) are edible and known as konini. The Nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida) has spreading fingers of small, pink flowers. Several parts of the nikau were eaten by the Maori: the immature flower; the berries when green ; and the heart of undeveloped leaves, the cutting out of which killed the plant. Nikau leaves were traditionally used to thatch the top and sides of whare and for weaving into bags or kete.
This is the time to begin harvesting the roots, pith and inner leaf shoots of the Ti whanake -also called Kouka, Kauru or cabbage tree – (cordyline australis).
For the birds, the fruit of the Rewarewa, the NZ honeysuckle (Knightia excelsa) after a nearly a year, finally ripens and Kahikatea (Podocarpus dacrydiodes) tree begins to flower. The orange-red Porokaiwhiri, pigeonwood (Hedycarya aborea) fruit, is ripe. It attracts the kereru (native pigeon).
The ripe forest fruits feed the nesting birds including the Kakariki, thecrowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) which utters a rapid “ki-ki-ki-ki” call in flight, also a variety of chattering and soft, musical calls as it feeds on the fruit, seeds, leaves and buds of the forest trees.Karkariki, is a ground feeder and nests close to the ground near its food.
Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) feasts on the insects and grubs which are dug out of rotten logs and bark, a variety of berries and green shoots, and nectar collected with its brush tongue. It is particularly fond of pohutukawa blossom and often hangs upside-down when feeding. Kaka nests in a dry cavity in a living tree such as puriri or pohutukawa from late spring. Chicks are usually about 9 weeks old before they leave the nest.
The little insect-eating Popokatea (Whitehead) sits on two to four, white or pinkish with brown eggs, speckled with reddish brown or red spots or blotches. Unless it is still nurturing the young of Pipiwharauroa, the long-tailed Cuckoo (Koekoea, Eudynamis taitensis).
The Tieke, Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) fills the forest with flute-like whistles and warbles, clicking and organ-like notes. The Tieke was once widely distributed on the main islands but by the end of the last century, its range was diminished to Hen Island in the north and Big South Cape Island group in the south.
Fernbird (Bowdleria punctata)
With plenty of young hatchling it is also nesting time also for birds of prey. The nocturnal Ruru, (Ninox novaeseelandiae) calls out “Morepork” as it hunts insects, small mammals, birds and lizards before returning to the two or three white eggs in its cosy nest. Ruru, spends the daytime in a hollow tree or in deep shade and emerging at dusk to feed. Ruru feed on rats mice, insects and small birds but now, when insects are plentiful, nesting begins. In Maori tradition the appearance of a morepork could be a good or bad sign. A morepork flying along a path was there as a protector, but one that perched n a prominent place, fluttered against a wall or entered a house might be indicating an imminent death.
The Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) moves inland in the warmer months and begins nesting in cabbage trees and knotholes in pohutukawas, also clay banks, where it digs out its nesting hole like a woodpecker. Eats mud crabs, shrimps and fish but will also eat insects particularly cicadas and small animals such as lizards, mice and small birds.
As summer approaches, dragonflies begin to patrol lakes and rivers on the lookout for suitable insects to eat. Dragonflies eat insects, tadpoles and even small fish; in their turn they are the eaten by frogs, birds and native trout.
The Australian Harrier (Circus approximans) captures live prey or feeds on carrion, insects, lizards, frogs, birds and even fish. Courtship begins in July-October, with males and females chasing each other across the sky. They begin nesting in now, amongst raupo, rushes or at the coast in clumps of toetoe.
Rehua’s children
In the rivers, in some areas, it was time to begin to take the Upokororo, grayling, (also called pokororo, paneroro and kanae-kura), Upokororo were taken by net in large quantities, but sometimes taken in hinaki (traps).
The young of a number of freshwater fish are collectively referred to as whitebait. The spawn and the lava move down the stream to the sea to return some time later as whitebait. The Giant kokopu(Galaxias argenteus), the adults of which favours weedy or boggy streams and swampy lagoons and lake margins and the Banded kokopu(Galaxias fasciatus) which favour bouldery, rocky pools or streams are types whose young return at this time.
Eels
In John Rochfort’s narrative of his expedition to the west coast of the South Island (1860) “Nov 17…arrived at a rapid with a fall of 9ft in 1 chain… the ground at the side was precipitous…Here the eels and inanga literally swarmed. One would think this fall would be an effectual barrier to the latter, but they had the ingenuity to climb the perpendicular faces of rocks, which were literally black with them as they scrambled over the top and dropped into the eddy above; so numerous were they that one might take a hat and brush it full with the hand.” (Best: fishing methods of the Maori
The seashore
As the sea warms, seaweeds also begin to grow. Seaweeds are very important in the coastal food About 10% of seaweeds are eaten directly by fish and shellfish. The remainder are decomposed by bacteria and fungi and eventually are consumed by filter-feeders such as oysters and mussels. Some seaweeds are harvested by Maori.
Karengo (Porphyra columbina), a large red seaweed is a traditional Maori vegetable. Sometimes, it was dried and used as chewing gum, or fermented with the juice of tutu (Coriaria) and used as a laxative.
The tender ends Rimurapa, (rimuroa, Bull Kelp,Durvillaea antarctica) were roasted and eaten for itch (scabies) and intestinal worms. It was also roasted and eaten for contagious eczema or dermatitis.
With the increase in crustaceans, molluscs, worms and insects, the NZ Dotterel(Charadrius aquilonius) begins nesting, making a scrape nest on shingle riverbeds or sand dunes.
Fish move toward the warmer weather to take advantage of the increased food supplies and are followed by predators such as the Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) which migrates from the tropics to northern Aotearoa. Sharks are a favourite traditional Maori food, particularly the eggs.
The increase the shoals of spawning fish such as Kahawai (Arriis trutta) in huge shoals near river mouths and shallow coastal water trigger the breading cycle of the Northern Royal Albatross. During the breeding season the birds feed in the waters surrounding the South Island and in Cook Strait and most nesting colonies are located on outlying islands nearer to the feeding grounds.
A single egg is laid in late October, and the chick leaves the nest when about 36 weeks old, and migrates eastwards, encircling the southern oceans. The chick returns to the natal colony when six to seven years old, but do not actually nest until eight or nine years of age.
Rocky cliffs, sand dunes and slat marshes and meadows of the NZ coastline provide a wide variety of habitats for plants. In the subtropical north, mangroves and pohutukawa predominate, white in the deep south, tree daisies are common. Some plants, such as mountain flax occur on coasts throughout the length of the country.
Plants growing along the coast need to be able to tolerate salt and gales: taupata (Coprosma repens,), the coastal koromiko (Hebe elliptica) are such plants. On coastal rocks, the Rengarenga, (maikaia, maika ka, rock lily, Arthopodium cirratum) has star-like, white flowers with yellow and purple centres. Rengarenga is now a common rock garden plant but in former times, poultices prepared from the leaves and roots were used to treat ulcers and abscesses
The coastal tree, whau (Entelea aborescens) has wood 150% lighter than balsa. Maori used the plant for fishing net floats and rafts. The coastal puka (Griselinia lucida) often starts life as an epiphyte on top of coastal rock and send its woody roots down to the soil.
Ice plants are succulents, able to survive drought in the same way as cacti, by storing water. The juice of Horokaka, ruerueke, NZ ice plant, round-leaved pigface(Disphyma australe) was expressed as a treatment for boils.
Pingao, Golden Sand Sedge(Desmoschoenus spiralis) is sand-dune plant that together with Kowhangatara, (Silvery Sand Grass, Spinifex, Spinifex sericeus) binds sand-dunes. Airborne sand is trapped among Pingao’s spreading shoots which grow upwards so as not to be buried by the sand gradually accumulating around them. Maori weavers value pingao leaves for making kete, cloaks, mats, hats and belts. When dried in the sun, pingao takes on a golden sheen that provides a vibrant contrast to the red and black fibres used in tukutuku panelling.
The white, feathery plumes Toetoe, (kakaho, cutty grass Cortaderia splendens)are mixed with the flower heads of Harakeke (flax)around the margins of coastal and inland freshwater swamps. It was a valuable medicinal plant used to quench blood flow and treat burns, diarrhoea and kidney problems.