# data[].attributes.headline
This video tells the story of Matariki.  The stars travel around the world and arrive back in Aotearoa for the Maori New Year in July.  Here you can see the names of the stars

# data[].attributes.subject
This video tells the story of Matariki.  The stars travel around the world and arrive back in Aotearoa for the Maori New Year in July.  Here you can see the names of the stars

# data[].attributes.headline
Matariki occured at the end of the harvest season.  All the crops had been gathered after the long warm summer. It was winter time.  It was a time when all the storage houses - pātaka kai were filled with kumara and dried fish.  There was no more gardening because it was too cold to grow any food. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Matariki occured at the end of the harvest season.  All the crops had been gathered after the long warm summer. It was winter time.  It was a time when all the storage houses - pātaka kai were filled with kumara and dried fish.  There was no more gardening because it was too cold to grow any food. 

# data[].attributes.body
Here is a pataka kai for keeping food safe.

# data[].attributes.headline
These are the kumara pits where kumara were stored during winter.

# data[].attributes.subject
These are the kumara pits where kumara were stored during winter.

# data[].attributes.body
There were no fridges long, long ago.  Maori dug a hole in the ground and buried the kumara to keep them safe and dry.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You have been redirected to this page because the former Manuscripts and Pictorial website has been retired. Use the following links to find what you are looking for.

Search the Sir Donald McLean papers

Search digitised manuscripts from the Sir Donald McLean collection of personal and official letters written between 1839 and 1876.
Papers Past - Letters and diaries
About the Sir Donald McLean papers

Sir Donald McLean (1820-1877) was one of the most influential figures in 19th-century New Zealand history.

In his various roles as Chief Land Purchase Officer, Native Secretary, the Superintendent of Hawkes Bay, official in charge of military operations on the East Coast and Native Minister, McLean played a pivotal role in relations between Māori and the government.

Over 100,000 pages from McLean's papers have been digitised, including:

Many of the letters and diaries have been transcribed and are keyword searchable.

Letters in te reo Māori

Of particular significance are over 3000 letters in te reo Māori, many of which have transcriptions and translations attached.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You have been redirected to this page because the former Manuscripts and Pictorial website has been retired. Use the following links to find what you are looking for. Search digitised manuscripts from the Sir Donald McLean collection of personal and official letters written between 1839 and 1876.

# data[].attributes.headline
Maori ate birds long, long ago.  Matariki was a time for eating the birds that had been caught during the warm months of summer. Kererū or wood pigeon were caught and preserved in fat during Matariki.  

# data[].attributes.subject
Maori ate birds long, long ago.  Matariki was a time for eating the birds that had been caught during the warm months of summer. Kererū or wood pigeon were caught and preserved in fat during Matariki.  

# data[].attributes.headline
Maori people got together during Matariki to tell stories, play games and to remember the past.  They made plans for the New Year.

# data[].attributes.subject
Maori people got together during Matariki to tell stories, play games and to remember the past.  They made plans for the New Year.

# data[].attributes.headline
Maori went fishing in the summer to feed them during the long cold winter months.  The fish was stored in the pātaka kai until the peolpe were ready to eat the fish.

# data[].attributes.subject
Maori went fishing in the summer to feed them during the long cold winter months.  The fish was stored in the pātaka kai until the peolpe were ready to eat the fish.