Te Wai Pounamu weather and climate posters

These posters (in English and te reo Māori) show a selection of indicators used by Māori across Te Wai Pounamu to forecast weather and climate.

These indicators, or tohu, range from cloud and wind patterns to the behaviour of taonga species like Hector’s Dolphins, or the flowering patterns of harakeke. These are very often related to the māramataka, which is also changing with our changing climate.

While the indicators are most useful locally, many are shared by hapū and iwi in other locations. Often more than one indicator is used to forecast for the day, month or season ahead.

We hope this work will help rangatahi and tangata whenua reconnect with their environment. We need to make the most of all available knowledge to survive and thrive under our changing weather and climate conditions.