Paraire Tomoana was an accomplished writer and translator, a commentator on ancient waiata, well versed in Maori history and lore. It is probable that much of the latter was learned from family papers; he was the keeper of his father's papers and those of his uncle Pene Te Uamairangi and his brother Te Rehunga. He used his father's notes to put together his many maramataka (almanacs), the first of which was published in collaboration with Ihaia Hutana, the editor of the Maori newspaper Huia Tangata Kotahi in 1895. Monthly sections of these almanacs later appeared in newspapers Paraire was associated with such as Te Kopara before 1921 and Te Toa Takitini in the 1920s. They gave the Maori names of phases of the moon and seasons of the year together with advice on such matters as the right days to plant and harvest various crops, or to fish or hunt for different species.

It is important to note that Maori maramataka are based on a 28-day moon cycle.  Each day in the new moon and full moon  cycles has a name and description or advice around planting, fishing and general comment for each day.  While this doesn't fit with the current Gregorian calendar, it doesn't need to.  There are two extra days named in the Maori calendar when there is no moon at all.