Connecting Earth and sky - Annual Report 2024

7 June, 2025

Pauline Harris receives the Murray Geddes Memorial Prize. From left: President of the RASNZ Nalayini Brito-Davies, Deputy Director Māori Pauline Harris, and nominator and Regional Coordinator (Oceania), DarkSky International Gareth Davies.

Deputy Director Māori Associate Professor Pauline Harris has been awarded the prestigious Murray Geddes Memorial Prize by the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ). This annual award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of astronomy within Aotearoa New Zealand, and Pauline's extensive achievements in astrophysics, cosmology and education earned her this distinguished honour. Pauline's notable body of work spans multiple facets of astronomy. One of her most impactful contributions has been to the field of Māori astronomy, which has fostered deeper cultural connections and enhanced the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems. A key part of this work involved championing the establishment of the Matariki public holiday in New Zealand.

Matariki, known as the Māori New Year, is celebrated when the Pleiades star cluster rises in the mid-winter sky. This event holds profound cultural significance, serving as a time for reflection, remembrance and renewal. Beyond its astronomical importance, Matariki embodies themes of environmental sustainability and interconnectedness.

Traditionally, it marks a time when Māori would assess resources, acknowledge the past year's harvests and plan for sustainable practices to ensure future prosperity.

In contemporary celebrations, Matariki reinforces the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. It invites communities to consider their relationship with the environment and to embrace sustainable practices that preserve resources for future generations. Pauline's work has highlighted this intrinsic link.

Her efforts in revitalising Māori astronomy, maramataka, and in promoting Matariki as a public holiday not only brought Māori knowledge to the forefront but also underscored how traditional astronomical practices can inform and inspire modern approaches to sustainability. By connecting the celestial to the terrestrial, Pauline has made significant strides in showing that the wisdom embedded in cultural traditions holds valuable insights for contemporary challenges.

In addition to her research and advocacy, Pauline has dedicated herself to astronomy education and outreach. She has inspired countless students and community members through workshops, public talks and educational initiatives that bridge complex astronomical concepts with accessible learning.

Pauline's receipt of the Murray Geddes Memorial Prize - a prize awarded by the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand in recognition of the recipient's significant contributions to astronomy in Aotearoa - is a testament to her exceptional contributions to New Zealand's astronomical landscape. Through her work, she continues to illuminate not just the night sky but also the connections that bind us to our environment and cultural heritage.

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