New Zealander of the Year

Māori onto the national, and even world stage: Dr Rangiānehu (Rangi) Mātāmua (Tūhoe). An esteemed Māori astronomer, author, and academic, Mātāmua has been named ...

As Mātāmua continues to uncover the secrets of the cosmos and share the wisdom of Māori astronomical traditions, he serves as a beacon of inspiration for New Zealand and the world. Looking to the future, Mātāmua remains committed to his pursuit of knowledge and advocacy for te ao Māori. It’s really important for us to be actively seeking knowledge and to expand the horizons of what we know and understand,” he says. Mātāmua has shared his findings with the world, shedding light on the ancient wisdom of Māori astronomical knowledge and its relevance in modern times. In his relentless pursuit of knowledge, Mātāmua completed a PhD in Māori Studies at the University of Waikato where he delved deep into mātauranga of Matariki, the cluster of stars known as Pleiades in Western astronomy. In the modern story of this revival, one man has played a pivotal role in getting mātauranga Māori onto the national, and even world stage: Dr Rangiānehu (Rangi) Mātāmua (Tūhoe).

Professor Rangi Mātāmua is known as "the man behind Matariki" after campaigning for the public holiday for years. He was overwhelmed with emotions when his name ...

Matamua gave a shout-out to his fellow finalists, including the Topp Twins: “Your legacy is amazing”, and told a story of John Kirwan being his childhood ...

That’s the important thing.” it’s connected to all of us and I love that.” “To see the nation just rise and accept it and celebrate it. It’s been really sad to see”. - Community of the Year - [Rangiānehu Mātāmua, the man behind the stars](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/130601788/ranginehu-mtmua-the-man-behind-the-stars?rm=a) - Environmental Hero of the Year - - Local Hero of the Year - - Innovator of the Year - - Senior New Zealander of the Year - [Professor Rangiānehu Matamua](http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/300843742/new-zealander-of-the-year-matariki-expert-professor-ranginehu-mtmua-beats-rugby-legends-and-topp-twins-to-be-named-new-zealander-of-the-year)named New Zealander of the Year - Young New Zealander of the Year -

Renowned MÄ ori leader, and MÄ ori Astronomy expert, Professor Rangi Matamua (Ngai Tuhoe) has been named 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou ...

He has challenged widespread misconceptions about MÄori astronomy and has enhanced our understandings of a MÄori world view of the stars. Professor Rangi Matamua (TÅ«hoe) is a pioneering MÄori scholar who has revolutionised understanding of MÄori astronomy, and in particular Matariki. Not many people can say they’ve led the formation of a national public holiday; but renowned MÄori scholar, Professor Rangi MÄtÄmua (TÅ«hoe) is one of them.

Professor Rangi Mātāmua. Māori astronomer and scholar Ahorangi Rangianehu Matamua received this year's New Zealander of the Year award. Photo: Waikato Museum.

So I didn't have a single word prepared - I was really looking forward to celebrating their win. In Aotearoa the stars were used to remember those who we had lost in the past year, to celebrate who we are and then to look to the future to celebrate who we want to be, he said. [New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/481688/new-year-honours-new-zealanders-recognised-across-fields-from-science-to-sport). Matariki allowed New Zealanders to celebrate "who we are with all our diversity" with an eye to the future in terms of who we want to be, he said. Professor Mātāmua said he was not expecting to get the New Zealand of the Year award and so did not have anything prepared. Professor Mātāmua has dedicated much of his life to the revitilisation and resurgence of Matariki and has

Professor Rangi Matamua scrambled for words, never expecting to hear his name called at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.

“I was in a room last night with the best and brightest of our nation. “All of them talked about these small moments in their lives, particularly when they had found a passion for something and just pursued it… / Pānuitia tēnei i te reo Māori me te reo Pākehā ki [konei.](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/te-reo-maori/300844407/ahorangi-rangi-matamua-te-mata-o-matariki-e-t-whakaiti-nei-i-te-putanga-o-te-ihu-hei-pou-khure) * [Tā Tipene O’Regan who won the award last year](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300553374/new-zealander-of-the-year-t-tipene-oregan-the-man-who-gives-the-gift-of-time), in 2022. [Matariki](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300612585/matariki-101-what-is-it-why-does-it-matter) and Professor of Mātauranga Māori at Massey University. [mātauranga Māori](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300593283/the-marae-defended-by-flood-walls-how-mtauranga-mori-can-prepare-us-for-the-coming-storm) (traditional Māori knowledge). [Rangiānehu Mātāmua, the man behind the stars](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/130601788/ranginehu-mtmua-the-man-behind-the-stars?rm=a) ['Man behind Matariki', Professor Rangiānehu Matamua, named New Zealander of the Year](https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/300843742/man-behind-matariki-professor-ranginehu-matamua-named-new-zealander-of-the-year?rm=a) [Topp Twins, Ruby Tui, John Kirwan and Rangi Mātāmua up for New Zealnder of the Year](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/131371147/topp-twins-ruby-tui-john-kirwan-and-rangi-mtmua-up-for-new-zealnder-of-the-year?rm=a) [here](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/te-reo-maori/300844407/ahorangi-rangi-matamua-te-mata-o-matariki-e-t-whakaiti-nei-i-te-putanga-o-te-ihu-hei-pou-khure). [Professor Rangi Matamua](https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/300843742/man-behind-matariki-professor-ranginehu-matamua-named-new-zealander-of-the-year) (Tūhoe) was scrambling to find his words as he stood on stage at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.