One of Horowhenua's favourite sons has been appointed as a Professor of Mātauranga Māori at Massey University's Te Pūtahi-a-Toi, School of Māori Knowledge.
Rangi Mātāmua (Ngāi Tūhoe) is recognised as one of Aotearoa's foremost Māori scholars and took the new role at Te Pūtahi-a-Toi at the beginning of September.
Theformer Taitoko Primary School pupil grew up in Levin and attended Hato Paroa College in Feilding, so was happy to be back working closer to whanau and his roots.
"It is a homecoming in many ways," he said.
"Levin for me will always be my home, our marae at Kawiu has been a home for me and my whanau."
It was also a return to Massey for Mātāmua. He had gained a Doctor of Philosophy (Māori Studies) in 2007 there and was a Research Manager at Te Pūtahi a Toi from 2001–2008.
Now, he was internationally known and respected for his accomplishments as a pioneering innovator and leader across both Mātauranga Māori and multiple interfaces with the Sciences.
But he is perhaps most widely known for his contribution to advancing public knowledge and awareness of Matariki, which is set to be a public holiday in New Zealand next year for the first time.
He was forever conscious of how his own journey of discovery began in Levin as an inquisitive youngster asking his late grandfather Timi Rawiri Mātāmua to tell him what he knew about the stars.
His koro returned with a 400-page manuscript detailing tribal star lore that had been passed to him by his own forebears, and the comprehensive record of Māori astronomy forms the basis of many of Mātāmua books and teachings on the subject.
"It is nice to think how that has played a role in the establishment of a national holiday and a wider understanding of Matariki ... it has played a major role in that happening," he said.
Professor Rangi Matamua.
Mātāmua is now the chairman of the Matariki Advisory Committee, central in an advisory role to how and when the holiday is to be appropriately observed each year.
"I think to be able to have a role in supporting that to happen is a legacy from my grandfather's people of Tuhoe," he said.
It was now about sharing that knowledge and creating an environment where the principles of Matariki could be understood and celebrated.
It was a time to focus on wellbeing, hope, to remember those that had passed, and to plan for the future. It was also a time to spend with whanau and friends with kai (food), waiata (song) and takaro (games).
"I am hoping it will help form part of our identity as a nation. We are becoming our own unique and vibrant society and Matariki is a pillar in our identity," he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Cynthia White, Pro Vice-Chancellor Te Kura Pūkenga Tangata, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said the university was honoured Mātāmua was joining the new role at Te Pūtahi-a-Toi.
Professor Huia Jahnke said Mātāmua's return would help drive new research, scholarship and endeavour, to reach across the "broadest possible" span of Mātauranga Māori.
Acting Head of School Associate Professor Margaret Forster agreed. "His return will see Professor Mātāmua leading the graduate school programme at Te Pūtahi-a-Toi," She said.
"This will help us meet the increasing demand from Māori students to write in te reo Māori and engage in mātauranga Māori related projects at the Masters and PhD level."
Mātāmua has had a distinguished career, most recently as Professor and Associate Dean Postgraduate, School of Māori and Pacific Development, at the University of Waikato, before the Massey appointment.
He has received multiple awards for his work, including the Prime Minister's Science Prize, in fields such as Māori Astronomy, Science Communication, Māori Navigation, Indigenous Knowledge and Te Reo Māori.
He is a Fellow of the Te Apārangi, Royal Society of New Zealand.
