✨ Matariki 2021✨

Kia ora I’m Shells, I am ECE kaiako at Waihi Beach and wanted to share our Matariki experience inspired by my my mātauranga studies. This is the second year I have opened my home to my tamariki. many of our whānau managed to get out the door by 6am to see the sunrise and celebrate Matariki together.

It didn't feel too cold as the sky had a clarity and energy of young and old alike to be out in the dark. We walked down a magical fairy light path to see our friends, teachers and whānau star gazing. We had set the kontiki at 530 and were blessed with ika as the sky changed colour. We saw the cluster and were in awe as it was the first time for most

We celebrated being together by acknowledging Matariki authentically with karakia, respect for those past and intentions. Afterwards everyone congregated back at my whare for kai and freshly smoked kahawhai and kūmara ❤️

Experiencing the uniqueness of Waihi Beach and being together as one makes me reflect on how close Matariki is to my heart, creating this environment supports such rich opportunities for learning from our tipuna.

We are so looking forward to the year ahead whānau,

Kia pai tō koutou rā✨ ✨