Celebrated Māori astronomer Victoria Campbell is returning to Te Anau this weekend, where she will hold a public Matariki talk, and a guided early morning stargaze.

Campbell (Ngāti Irakehu, Ngāi Tahu) is a member of the Matariki Advisory Group who provided recommendations to Government on establishing the Matariki Public Holiday, works as Transition Manager for Te Rūnanga o Moeraki and sits on the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Board. 

She first presented in Te Anau in 2021, where she spoke to a packed audience on the significance of Matariki and Te Ao Māori. 

She says it was the dark skies of Te Waipounamu (the South Island) that first planted the seed of her passion for tātai arorangi, or Māori astronomy. 

“During a stay at Te Koawa Tūroa o Takitimu (Jericho Holiday Camp near Blackmount) I was introduced to the wonderment of our dark skies. It was a struggle for me to identify the constellations, but the beauty and narratives were not lost on me.”

“It sparked a passion that I have progressed over the years. Te Anau will always be a special place for our whānau because of that connection.”

Crystal Brindle, Senior Ranger Community and Visitors in the Te Anau Department of Conservation (DOC) office, says the town is excited to host Campbell again, given how well received her last presentation was.

“Victoria’s kōrero last year gathered such rave reviews from the community that she was asked back before she even left town!”

“I’m simply stoked that Victoria is travelling all the way from Ōtepoti Dunedin and making a weekend of it with her whānau.”

“We see huge value in providing a platform for Victoria to share her deep knowledge and passion for dark skies, whetū (stars), and the natural world with a community of people who share many of the same values and choose to live on the doorstep of Fiordland National Park.”

Brindle says DOC organised Campbell’s talk last year, and this year have worked with Te Anau Waitangi Charitable Trust to make it happen.

“With so much more interest surrounding Matariki with the first official public holiday, it simply made sense to work with others and approach this year collaboratively.”

Te Anau Waitangi Charitable Trust trustee Joy Crouchley says she is looking forward to hearing another “excellent” talk from Campbell, after having her interest piqued last year. 

“Supporting Victoria’s kōrero aligns with the Trust’s intention to run events throughout the year in celebration of our people, our heritage, and our culture,” she says. 

Campbell’s evening talk will be held at 7pm on Friday, at the Te Anau Rugby Club.

The event is free, and registration is not required.

The Matariki stargaze will be held at 6:45am the follow morning, weather dependent. 

Registration is required. Visit https://www.doc.govt.nz/fiordlandevents-booking