| Celebrating Matariki

Matariki is a time to gather with family and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and plan for the future.

Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in Aotearoa that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster.

The two meanings of Matariki both refer to stars: mata ariki (eyes of god) and mata a riki (little eyes)

Matariki is a star cluster which appears in the night sky during mid-winter. According to the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) The reappearance of Matariki brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Māori New Year.

The twinkling of the Matariki stars in the pre-dawn sky heralds a special celebration for young and old. Across our beautiful country, people come together to remember their ancestors, share kai, sing, tell stories, and play music.

To celebrate this special time that inspired our name, we have made and shared shortbread, sung waiata, listened to stories and read about Matariki. We have also drawn stars, painted stars, collaged stars and weaved wool around star shaped sticks. We have also started working on a kindergarten korowai where each child has glued feathers onto an outline of a feather - the finished piece will represent all of us together as the Seven Stars whānau!

- Petrea Paterson