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Matariki 2021

We encouraged people to share a meal with loved ones and colleagues and learn and recite kaikōhau to bring in the Māori new year.

2023

We learned more about the Matariki stars, listening to the podcast 0800 Matariki with our tamariki in the dark. By turning out the lights, we all connected so strongly with each of the whetu and loved hearing what each one was associated with. Looking forward to continuing to grow in our Matariki understanding. Manawatia a Matariki!

Leah

I have just started working at an early childhood centre and I wanted to celebrate Matariki with the tamariki. Each day we focused on one of the whetū by learning about the whetū and doing an activity which embraced their meaning. For Waitā we made ika out of harakeke. We learnt about the process of cutting and harvesting harakeke and the tikanga that surrounds it and what it can be used for. I sat with the tamariki and we slowly made some ika to put around our Waitā that was on the wall. For Hiwa-i-te-rangi we baked cookies in the shape of a whetū and before we ate them we did our karakia to Hiwa-i-te-rangi and each made a wish for the new year. When we ate the cookies the wish comes true. For Ururangi we made some kites so the tamariki can visually see the winds. I'm excited to see what the tamariki come up next for our next Matariki activities

Mollie

We had a kaitahi with whānau and learned the kaikohau. Afterward we had a game of kaupapa which was really fun

Alex

Our whānau hosted a kaitahi to celebrate Matariki. It was an amazing time to feast together, sing waiata, and go around and share our highs and lows of the past year as well as what we are looking forward to in the new year. We also played kēmu Māori at the end. Te mutunga kē mai o te pai! 🖤

Aroha

We got up early to witness Matariki in the morning sky- ātaahua, makariri!

Andrea

As a fire brigade we decided to each bring a plate so we could celebrate matariki as we did some training. One of our new members took the time to make this amazing cake. She's Zimbabwean and we loved how she took the time to study the constellation and embrace this celebration with us. We were able to discuss to significance of Matariki and learn some kaikohau to teach our whanau. Grateful for this kaupapa and the opportunity we had to celebrate matariki in our own little way.

Tinee

We made these cute treat bags for our team to have and share with each other.

Bunnings

I have celebrated Matariki heavily with my tamariki over the past 2 weeks as I am a primary school teacher. We did a number of scavenger fact hunts, learning about the meaning behind Matariki and why it’s so important. We learnt a tītī tōrea to e papa waiari. I was going to share the video but for privacy reasons I can’t. We shared a number of stories, we have looked at the different Māori gods. As a class we set some goals for next term that we want to achieve! Lastly we made a number of crafts, making stars and kites!

Hayley

Ko te marama o Tangaroa a roto mātou ko tō mātou whānau i kake ai i tō mātou maunga ko Parangarahu mō Te Umu kohukohu whetū tuatahi o tā mātou whakatupuranga. He ataahua, ka mutu kua whakatakato he tūkanga, he whakaraupapa mā ngā tau e haere ake nei.

Ngapera

I composed a Waiata about Matariki and also included my son whose name is Ohomairangi as a metaphor because of how Tawhirimatea was pouri about the wehenga o ōna mātua. Thankful. 🙏

LeRoy Paul

My girl Summer performed for the first time with her kindy friends to celebrate Matariki and she was amazing! 😊 Her 2 favourite stars are Hiwa-i-te-rangi to wish big wishes and Matariki to come together with her cousins, her words lol. Nga mihi💕

Hua

With our tamariki we had a bonfire at the beach with friends to reflect the past year and made goals for the next year which we sent with paper lanterns. Our tamariki had a ball! After our bonfire we had a beautiful hakari of roast lamb and chocolate pudding. That night we all stayed in the living room Marae styles and got up early the next morning to walk to the beach to see the Matariki stars.

Karen

Tēnā Koe, Mānawatia a Matariki! I have a few special ‘Matariki moments’ - welcomed a new Pēpi into our Whānau, endless Whānau time, shared kai and kōrero, wrote letters to loved ones, set goals and intentions for the year to come aswell as reflect on the year that’s been - learnings and all. Ngā Mihi, Che

Chelym

We just sat outside by the fire and watch the world go by staring at the beautiful sky. Had a massive feast of hangi and bbq afterwards too. Nga Mihi 🙏

Billiejean

My matariki moment was having a conversation with my 10year old. We are both our journey to learn our reo, I loved how we both standing outside gazing to the skies talking and looking out for the stars. It was a very special moment

Amanda

Matariki Te Atatu North 5am with my whanau and rongoa sisters. The new year whereby we give thanks and gratitude to whanau friends and loved ones that have past. Mauri tu Mauri Ora

Jacqualene

Welcome all things that have grown - our mokopuna Welcome all things that are good - our kai & our laughter May they be plentiful & abundant - our love & our whanau time 💜

Lola

We held our first Matariki celebration ngt at work this year. I opened the ngt up with karakia and mihi in te reo Māori, I've just started a reo Māori course this year so thought I'd give it a go! We sung waiata, had a yummy hangi, and had lots of Matariki based activities to educate our whānau about Matariki. It was a great ngt - MANAWATIA A MATARIKI ✨

Morrison

Our team kaitahi was themed for Matariki and we prepared food associated with Tupu-a-nuku, Tupu-a-rangi, Waitī and Waitā. We all said the kaikōhau. We were also able to give some of our time after to plant and weed a community maara kai.

Hazel

Mānawatia a Matariki Pahiatua 🌟

Traci

Had a Matariki dinner with my level 1 students at the Wānanga, teaching them about what Matariki is all about, being with whanau and looking after our environment. I did a presentation on Matariki before the kai and learned the song too. Had way too much kai so left on the table for other students to help themselves. Manawatia a Matariki! !

Vanessa

I huihui mai mātou ki tōku kāinga. I kai mātou, ā, i maumahara mātou i ngā tāngata kua wheturangitia. We started our kaitahi for Matariki a couple of years ago, I hope that by the time these tamariki have their own tamariki that it will be a firm whānau tradition. I love how our knowledge of Matariki grows each year. This year we have learnt much more about the stars and how they inform the Maramataka.

Jen

Last week our kura went on a haerenga to Te Kuiti to learn about the iwi Ngāti Maniapoto. There we not only were taught by the kaumatua and kuia of Te Kuiti Pā but we also refelected on the Māori New Year and our goals for the coming year.

Elisabeth

This was Westmere School | Te Rehu’s Matariki Hākari and Celebration. The next day the Prime Minister came for a visit and talked about the new Matariki public holiday beginning next year.

Rebecca

I nohotahi tōku whānau i Whatipū Lodge ki te kaitahi, ki te whakawhanaunga, ki te whakanui Matariki, I mihi au ki tōku whaea kua moe i tēnei tau. Ko tēnei 2 Hōngongoi: tōna huritau kōtahi rau! Nineteen of my entirely pāhehā/tauiwi family from around NZ stayed at Whatipū Lodge for the weekend to celebrate Matariki. I acknowledged my godmother Kath who passed away earlier this year. This kaitahi was on 2 July, which would have been her 100th birthday!

Janice

A shared lunch with my Tamariki

Nicole

Remembering MummyB. All my family are overseas and this really helped me feel connected to them while grieving in NZ. She was a beacon of light and we looked to her for advice in everything. She is hope to me. Hope for a life as equally blessed as hers and hope I’ll see my family again- one day- soon. RIP MummyB.

Andrea

A special moment to remember my Grandmother who passed away on Wednesday, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This was her favourite meal so me and my soul sister celebrated her memory yesterday. Rest In Peace Mummy B. ❤️

Andrea

My whānau came together for our first Matariki celebration, feeding the stars, mourning our dead and aligning ourselves for a new year ahead. We’ve started our reo journey and this has been a beautiful celebration to start our year

Helena

Students sharing a kaikohau with our school community before shared kai

Amanda

This was my twin Mokos 1st birthday and the theme was based around Matariki emphasizing on Waiti and Waita as the twin stars alot of matariki songs and activities were shared,

Sharlene

I invited lots of my friends to our house to share food, watch Ahi Matariki from our balcony. I explained the significance of Matariki and invited them to reflect on their year and think about the things they hope to unfold within their lives and communities. We blessed the food and spent time connecting and dreaming.

Rebekah

Enjoying kapa haka in Takutai Square, Tāmaki Makaurau. Brilliant.

Michael

Morning paddle in Whaingaroa celebrating new beginnings with our Tamariki

Rachy

Matariki for me is about connection and reflection even if the Whānau isn’t close. This year I made some awesome fry bread to go with our Kai. Using a family recipe with video calls to pāpā to get that perfect dough with the best tips. 😍

Amber

I am saying Kaikohau to myself in Te Reo Maori, English, and Chinese every morning when I wake up. The Chinese translation is very elegant and beautiful! Yesterday, I went to Blue Oyster Art Project Space in Dunedin for Turumeke Harrington's exhibition "Special Time (Ehara i te ti)". The artist and the gallery offered us shared kai for celebrating Matariki after the talk. We had food from Wai Tai, Waiti, Tupuanuku, and Tupuarangi. It was the best meal I had this year. And I think the prayer of Kaikohau works. It will be a year of hope and abundance. This is not a moment of Matariki I created, but it is definitely a moment that Matariki offered to my life. Thank you! ❤️❤️

Lin

Nā taku māmā i tuku tono atu ki te whānau kia noho, kai tahi ai hei whakanui i te kaupapa o Matariki. Nā māua i whakarite i te kai. Mīharo katoa taku whānau.

Josie

We came together to share kai and enjoy each other's company

Rebecca

kia ora. . "Matariki ataahua, Matariki piwari. " 11 o Pipiri moata i te ata po ka huakina oku karu , ā, ka haere ki Mauao piki ia Mauao ahakoa te makariri, ahakoa te ua ka piki tonu. I te wa kua tau ki runga i te Maunga ka kite i nga whetu ka karakia, ka waiata, i muri i tera ka haere mo tetahi hakari nui me te kaukau ki nga punawai. Nga mihi o te tau hou maori. Haere te po, nau mai te ao. .

Tina

This is my two youngest children experiencing the Christchurch lights for Matariki. As a family we are starting the process of learning about our Maori family history.

Alana

Our Year 3 and 4 students invited whānau for dinner and they then joined us in waiata, kapa haka games, tititorea, matariki stories, star cookie decorations and then finished with candle lighting. Was a beautiful evening ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Michelle

Matariki is the best time to try out our homemade kai cooker with our extended whanau. He tino reka te kai, me te wa whanau ❤

Alicia

My workplace did a #kaitahi and I gave a brief explanation of Matariki. I am the only māori in our workplace. Sharing the importance of Matariki and teaching everyone the kaikōhau was very special to me on my te reo māori journey. He waka eke noa.

Mihi

We had a Matariki night for our community at our Kura Te Taha ( Westshore school). Our kapa haka performed, we had shared Kai then we had activities set up in all the classrooms for whanau to participate in. My class built papier-mâché lanterns two weeks before hand and we had a light show in our classroom. The lanterns were themed around the 9 whetu in the Matariki cluster. The photo is of two mushrooms which the kids related to tupuanuku( Kai from the ground). It was a fabulous night for all.

Renee

I mataki au me taku whanau kia te Kapa Opango e takaro ana kia Whiiti, ko ta matou hiana kia takahia a Whiiti kia te Kapa O Pango. Heoi e kore ranei, na ka hokongia matou toku whanau hei tunua pizza, i muri te mutunga a te kemu, i reira te Matariki parekareka

Steve

On the 8th of July we came together as kaimahi for a delicious waffle breakfast with fresh fruit. We said our kaikōhau before sharing what we are most greatful for and our hopes and aspirations for the year ahead. It was great to come together and share our appreciation for each other and the great things happening in our lives. Personally I was able to share that my parter and I are most looking forward to bringing our first pēpē into the world and it was such a special moment to share 💕

Krysta

My workplace whānau Matariki celebration ❤ We ate hangi, sung waiata, and hung out with our community

Taryn Hale

We celebrated Matariki this year surrounded by friends and family, remembering those no longer with us, setting goals and embracing the now. We enjoyed a disco at baby's preschool where we all shared kai.

Sian

My 4 x great grandmother arrived on her own in Aotearoa from Armagh, Ireland in 1863, aged 19. Last night I walked to a multi cultural celebration of Matariki beside the mighty Manawatu Awa, and listened to the voices of the children of Rangitane singing out into the night, under the stars that guided her journey here. It was simply wonderful to know that those same stars continue to guide me and everyone else there. May the whakakotahitanga continue to bring us together as the peaceful whanau we have the potential to be.

Ruth

Kia Ora At our Kindergarten our team of wonderful Kaiako decorated the walls, and the ceilings and the story times with Atua and each of the stars of Matariki. Led by whaia Emma. Our tamariki learnt a beautiful waiata which they performed to their Whanau after we fed them the soup made from vegetables that tamariki had brought from home, peeled, cut and made with aroha the day before. . . . . . and it was delicious! Kaiako and whanau coming together to create a beautiful night. Whanau also baked cakes and raised $250 + dollars which we will buy resources for the kgtn with. One of the best disco nights EVER. . . . . ka rawe! ! ! !

Pamela

Our matariki moment is cooking breakfast together and then eating together!

Morgan

Our class had a hangi and a noho in our whare to celebrate Matariki/Puanga. We made stats out of paketai and lit them up out the front of our whare and also had an open day to our community to share what we have learned about Matariki and Puanga. We shared our hopes for next year and highlight of this year and had a feast. We said a kaikōhau and celebration Te matahi o Te tau.

Kylie

I attended an gathering of whanau and friends. We learned matariki stories and karakia for our rohe. It was the most emotional and exciting morning.

Linda

I was going to wait and share about the matariki event I am organizing at our playcentre next weekend, but this morning I took my 3 kids out to see if we could spot the matariki cluster. We were so so excited to be able to see it, and as I was pointing it out and miss 9 exclaimed that she could see one bright star and a few duller stars in the cluster, I started to say about Hiwa, the wishing star, when just at that moment a shooting star appeared directly below the cluster. Sooooo cool for the kids to see and such perfect timing, we all made a wish (mine is for the school holidays to go nice and smoothly 😀) such an awesome way to bring in the new year!

skye

Kua oti pai ngā mahi. Kua tutuki tātou i ngā wawata, Kia whakarauika tātou katoa i ngā kaimahi o Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora ki Waiariki.

Anahera-Aroha Natalie

Nau mai Nga

Penelope Marcia

My nephew Awarua and I cooked kaitahi together for our whānau. We planned the menu, did the shopping and then cooked. Everyone helped out and we enjoyed tasting new foods. We remembered our favourite people and shared our future plans, giving thanks and feeling blessed to have each other in our lives to experience new things together. It was a fantastic matariki celebration and I look forward to doing it every year. I feel very lucky to be able to be part of this yearly festival. I just couldn’t fit me in the picture, but here we are having shared a feast, tucking in to a superb chocolate brownie. Hari Matariki!

Jill

This is our food

Ramandeep

Our Tū Rangatira students of Kaipara College set goals they would like to achieve by Matariki 2022 and enjoyed a Matariki Wānanga.

Brianne

The evening before the tangaroa moon phases began and the official matariki celebrations and ceremonies commenced. I was travelling to Coromandel and snapped this shot as I reflected on the year that had passed and gazed at the stars excited for the next morning and the small Hautapu that was to be had with just myself, my māmā. Mānawatia a matariki💫

Graeson

Started learning Te Reo with the family! The beginning of a beautiful journey we’re all starting together

Max

In the past, I have always celebrated by sharing Soup and telling stories with tamariki I worked with. This year I participated in a Noho Marae, this week, at Taniwha Marae, with my workplace, Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust. We shared about Matariki and learnt about the stars and their stories. We had wonderful food and company and sang and learnt new Waiata. I learnt so much more about this time of the year and would like to continue to gain more knowledge and understanding. Next year I will attend more Community Events and involve my whānau more in the Celebrations.

Kellie

Nau mai ngā hua Nau mai ngā pai Nau mai kia nui Kia hāwere ai Welcome all things that have grown Welcome all things that are good May they be plentiful and abundant

Carolyn

My whānau enjoyed a Matariki moment during our meal tonight cooked by our pōtiki, while listening to Maisey Rika's Matariki album.

Jo

Sent this to my Tongan sister in law . . . manawatia a Matariki. Giving it a go! In Tongan

Lisa

It was supposed to be a kaitahi at my whare with a zoom to our Auckland whanau. . . it ended up just me and my youngest boy. We also sent a video to my Tongan sister in law of this in Tongan. And had a go in Niuean, for mu Nana, Sieni Head.

Lisa

From the Matariki fireworks in wellington. Brilliant to see the council supporting Te Ao Māori and celebrating Matariki! Kia kaha te reo Māori ❤️

Caitlin

Kia Ora Tatou, I spent the afternoon @ The Wanaga Aotearoa In Porirua, Warm & friendiy atmosphere, showed My class mate where I spent my learning back in 2019, hope to bump into any class mates 0f 2019. Awesome place of learning. Thats My Matariki Moment. Nga Mihi.

Paula

He hāngi kua tunua ki rō whenua te kaupapa matua hei whakanui i a Matariki i tēnei tau. He kura auraki mātou. Kua mahi ngātahi ngā tuākana me ngā tēina o te hāpori kia whakarite ai te kai o te pō . He reka rawa te kai hāngi me te noho tahi o te whānau whānui. Mānawatia a Matariki 💫

Cherie

Kia Ora tātou Katoa! Our Matariki Moment at our Seido Karate Wellington meditation group will be a lighting of candles for those special people who have passed since last Matariki. We’ll kōrero the Kaikōhau as part of our Moment. Thankyou for providing this amazing platform to celebrate Matariki this year, Osu! (respectful karate greeting)

Julie

Yesterday morning Ashgrove School in Rangiora held a Matariki Breakfast of pikelets and Weetbix, with over 300 people in attendance. Our tamariki have spent the last 3 weeks working in a tuakana/teina approach to create Matariki Art. Each art group was given a Matariki star to base their art upon. At the breakfast, families came together, visited and admired the amazing artwork that the children had made. It was a brilliant way for our community to visit, share kai, celebrate the past year and look forward to the coming year. Mr Melrose read Matariki Breakfast to a group of young children, our kapa haka group performed, and we were priviledged to have a year 10 Ashgrove alumni student speak about what Te Reo means to her. It was an amazing event.

Lainie

In celebration of Matariki Māori new year. . I shared my Kaikohau with ōku whanau. . the launch home based baking business. . we shared kaitahi. (Arohamai. . tamariki on left out of view). Tena koutou katoa.

Ani

Arahura noho marae with our te reo class(es) whanau 💚💚💚🖤❤️🤍

Hannah

This is our Year 9 & 10 class in our Syndicate. They had a Te Reo wananga for the end of the term in celebration of Matariki and all conversations had to be in Te Reo Maori. This is their Kaitahi before getting into the second part of their mahi i te po. Matariki kai everybody.

Alexia

Matariki Kai at Roskill Youth Zone, a great crowd including the Mt Roskill Rugby Club juniors.

Bobby

Anei te Kōhanga Reo o Iti Noa mai Te Tairawhiti e whakanui i te tau hou xo

Kristi

Our Umukohukohu at Ferrymead.

Vicki

We baked Matariki cookies with our tamariki for their school Matariki Celebration and hosted whānau for a hangi and shared kai to bring in the New Year.

Elizabeth

My 3 children and I had a Matariki dinner to honor all our loved ones that have passed and also all our absent family members that are still alive but do not live locally to us in Auckland. We only used candle light and laughed and chatted while sharing our kai. Was a lovely start to our new year. 💖

Sarah

First time celebrating Matariki with my whānau. First time seeing Matariki. First time sending my dreams up to Hiwa I Te rangi. One day, a few years from now, I hope that my whānau can’t remember their first Matariki because it just qlhas always been part of their life.

Kathryn

Matariki parakuihi ko Natalia Tahana toku ingoa, Ko Rachael Tahana toku ingoa , ko Tarns Whanau toku ingoa. Tairawhiti.

Natalia

Me and my whānau went to Matariki at Te Kōhanga Manaaki, Petone Salvation Army. They put on a Kai and of course we took Kai for a kaitahi. I shared some kōrero about Matariki to all the other whānau that attended. At the end of my kōrero, I gave an explanation about kaikōhau and then shared the kaikōhau, that I learnt from here. It was a wonderful night and I thank the Petone Salvation Army for giving me the opportunity to share😍

Tina

Matariki celebration, Te Whanganui a Tara

Sarah

Couple hundred of us from our son's kura climbed to the point of Titirangi to watch for Matariki to rise. Beautiful morning. Cold, but nice. Afterwards, we went back to kura for a parakuihi together. Up at 5. 30, which was a sleep in for me. Choice.

Marshall

Our school participated in a Matariki celebration with shared Kai (soup, stuffed potatoes, star biscuits) as well as activities throughout the day including waiata, mau rakau, weaving, art, planting - a great way of acknowledging and teaching our akonga about the importance and significance of Matariki!

Kylie

We loved learning the kaikōhau as a family. We prepared a feast and said it at dinner time before eating. It reminded us to be grateful for Mother Earth and all she provides us with. It was such a lovely moment and we are looking forward to integrating more matariki traditions and rituals into our lives as the years go on.

The whanau spent Saturday 3rd of July at Kororareka where we were brought, up starting with a walk to Te Maiki to see Matariki at 5. 30am, having a mid winter swim at 2pm and ending with a hangi on the beach followed by korero and waiata well into the night.

Aly so

Matariki kai celebration at Te kura Māori o Piripono ki Ōtara last Thursday. Had Bacon bones boilup with motumotu, watercress, kūmara and rewai. Accompanied by fried bread and kūtai

Jacquie

Nau mai ngā hua Nau mai ngā pai Nau mai kia nui Kia hāwere ai

Priscilla

Te Kōmanawa Rowley School enjoying hangi Kai with our community in celebration of Matariki. Nau mai ngā hua Nau mai ngā pai Nau mai kia nui Kia hāwere ai

Jule

Celebrating Matariki lights in jar and we going out tonight to fire works at New Brighton Pier Celebrating Matariki.

Teena

During matariki, i didnt get to do hautapu, however this year was the first time i had seen matariki with my own two eyes. It was magical, and i wanted to wake the whole house up, but they would have been grumpy all day tehehe. I recited a whakataukī that i had learned the previous day , (manawa maiea. . . . ) Sat for about half an hour until i couldnt feel my nose anymore. Although i didnt get to do hautapu, the duration of my matariki was spent with whānau at a mokopapa wananga, when i thrt about it. This was meant to be. . i cherished every moment. . the laughs the cries and remembering the past.

Hetz

We had a whanau celebration dinner last night with everyone bringing along their favourite dishes. We began with a Kaikōhau.

Lyn

Ko ngā ākonga Māori o te kura tuarua o Ruataniwha AKA Central Hawke’s Bay College e whakarite ana i tō mātou hāngī kaitahi!

Marino

Matariki, Whakanuia

Sheena

Thank you for having us. " There's truth, there's equality and then there's mana. Dissonance takes on a new meaning, if we seek harmony. The future takes on new hope, if we face it together. Let us sup together at the table of whanaungatanga" Haare Willams

Christine Marie

Room 6 at Belmont Intermediate School, had a Matariki shared lunch! To celebrate, remember, and look forward to next term together. Mānawatia a Matariki!

Caitlin

We roasted marshmallows, looked at the stars and kōrero to my mokopuna about Matariki

Moengaroa Maureen

Photos of our Kuia and my Mum, for our Mātariki celebration

Sarai

Haare Williams

Christine Marie

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Matariki 2021

Haare Williams