Matariki activities for schools involve celebrating the Māori New Year through immersive cultural experiences such as crafting manu tukutuku (kites), weaving harakeke stars, learning traditional waiata, and studying the astronomy of the Pleiades cluster. These educational practices foster a deep connection to Te Ao Māori, encouraging students to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.
Understanding the Significance of Matariki in Education
Matariki, the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. For educators in New Zealand, this period offers a profound opportunity to integrate Matariki activities for schools into the curriculum, bridging the gap between historical tradition and modern learning. It is a time to acknowledge the cycles of nature, remember those who have passed (associated with the star Pōhutukawa), and set intentions for the year ahead (Hiwa-i-te-rangi).
When planning lessons, it is crucial to understand that Matariki is not merely a date on the calendar but a season of wānanga (learning) and whanaungatanga (connection). Schools and Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers play a pivotal role in revitalizing these traditions. By incorporating authentic activities, teachers help normalize Te Reo Māori and tikanga, ensuring that the next generation grows up with a robust understanding of Aotearoa’s indigenous heritage.
Engaging Craft Ideas: Kites and Weaving
Arts and crafts are among the most tangible ways for students to connect with the concepts of the Māori New Year. These activities not only develop fine motor skills but also carry deep symbolic meanings linked to specific stars in the cluster.
Manu Tukutuku (Kite Making)
The star Ururangi is associated with the winds. To honor this connection, making Manu Tukutuku (traditional kites) is a popular and historically significant activity. In traditional times, kites were flown to physically connect the heavens and the earth, often carrying messages to the gods.
Activity Steps for Schools:
- Materials: Use natural materials where possible, such as raupō, toetoe, or harakeke (flax), though paper and bamboo skewers work well for younger children.
- Design: Encourage students to decorate their kites with traditional kōwhaiwhai patterns or images representing their hopes for the future.
- Flying Event: Organize a school-wide kite flying afternoon. This aligns with the physical energy of the wind and the community aspect of the holiday.
Harakeke Star Weaving (Whetū)
Weaving is a fundamental Māori art form. Creating whetū (stars) from harakeke (flax) or paper strips is an excellent way to represent the nine stars of Matariki. This activity is particularly suitable for older primary and intermediate students due to the dexterity required.
Educational Focus: While weaving, teachers can discuss the concept of kotahitanga (unity)—just as individual strands are woven together to create a strong shape, the community is stronger when united. Ensure that if you are using real harakeke, the tikanga of harvesting is followed (e.g., not harvesting at night or in the rain, and returning waste to the earth).
Song and Dance: Bringing Matariki to Life with Waiata
Music is a vessel for history. Teaching waiata (songs) and kapa haka movements allows students to internalize the stories of Matariki through rhythm and repetition. This is accessible for all ages, from ECE to high school.
Popular Waiata for Matariki
There are numerous waiata composed specifically for this holiday. A staple for many schools is the song that lists the names of the stars. Learning these names through melody helps with retention and pronunciation.
Suggested Activity: Teach the song “Ngā Tamariki o Matariki” or simple action songs that depict the rising of the sun and the stars. For ECE centers, incorporating poi can help develop coordination. Explain that the rhythmic movement of the poi mimics the fluttering of birds or the twinkling of stars.
Haka and Pūrākau (Storytelling)
Beyond singing, acting out myths (pūrākau) creates a dynamic learning environment. Students can perform plays based on the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, or the story of Tāwhirimātea throwing his eyes into the sky to create Matariki. Drama allows students to explore the emotions and character motivations within these foundational myths.
Teaching the Science of Astronomy and Navigation
Matariki provides a seamless integration point for science curricula, specifically astronomy and physics. It allows educators to teach the science of the stars alongside indigenous knowledge systems, validating both as essential worldviews.
Identifying the Cluster
The Matariki cluster (Pleiades) is visible in the pre-dawn sky in mid-winter. Teaching students how to locate it involves identifying the “Pot” (Orion’s Belt) and following the line of the belt to the left to find the triangular face of Taurus (Te Kokotā), and further left to the cluster of Matariki.
Classroom Activity: Create a “star lab” in the classroom. Use black cardboard with pinholes over a light source to project the constellation onto the ceiling. Discuss the difference between stars and planets, and why Matariki appears to twinkle (atmospheric turbulence) while planets shine steadily.
Māori Navigation (Wayfinding)
Connect the stars to the incredible feats of Pacific voyaging. Explain how ancestors used star compasses, ocean swells, and bird migration patterns to navigate the Pacific Ocean. Students can build simple compasses or create star maps, learning about the cardinal directions and how the position of stars changes with the seasons.
Environmental Activities: Connecting with Tupu-ā-nuku
The stars Tupu-ā-nuku (food from the earth) and Tupu-ā-rangi (food from the sky) remind us of our responsibility to the environment. Matariki occurs during the winter months, a time when the land is resting, but it is also a time to prepare for the spring planting.
School Garden Projects
One of the most impactful Matariki activities for schools is engaging with the school garden (māra). Even in winter, there is work to be done. Students can weed garden beds, prepare the soil with compost, or plant garlic and winter vegetables.
Tree Planting: To honor Tupu-ā-rangi, consider planting native trees on school grounds. This encourages biodiversity and attracts native birds. Frame this activity as a gift to the future—a core tenet of Matariki.
The Maramataka (Māori Lunar Calendar)
Introduce older students to the Maramataka. Unlike the Gregorian solar calendar, the Maramataka is based on the phases of the moon and environmental cues. Have students observe the moon phases over a month and record how the environment changes. This teaches observation skills and connects them to the rhythm of the natural world.
The Tradition of Shared Kai and Hospitality
No Matariki celebration is complete without a hākari (feast). The stars Waitī (freshwater) and Waitā (saltwater) represent food sources from the water. Sharing food is a demonstration of manaakitanga (hospitality) and brings the school community together.
Hosting a Matariki Breakfast
Since Matariki is best viewed before dawn, many schools host a “Matariki Breakfast.” Families are invited to school early in the morning to view the stars (if visible) and then share a hot meal. Foods like porridge, fry bread (parāoa parai), or a simple sausage sizzle can be served.
Cooking Traditional Foods
In the classroom, cooking can be a lesson in chemistry, math (measuring), and culture. Making rēwena bread (potato starter bread) or soup using winter vegetables connects directly to the stars Tupu-ā-nuku and Waitī. Discuss where the ingredients come from and the importance of sustainable harvesting.
Setting Goals (Hiwa-i-te-rangi)
While eating, or during a quiet time in class, introduce the star Hiwa-i-te-rangi. This is the wishing star. Have students write down their aspirations for the coming academic year or personal goals. These can be displayed on a “Wall of Wishes” in the classroom, turning abstract hopes into tangible declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 3 activities for Matariki?
Three core activities for Matariki include making manu tukutuku (kites) to connect with the winds, sharing a hākari (feast) to practice manaakitanga, and learning the names and meanings of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster through song and art.
How do you explain Matariki to a child?
Explain Matariki as the Māori New Year, marked by a group of stars appearing in the winter sky. It is a birthday for the year—a time to remember the people we love, celebrate the food we have, and make wishes for the future.
What crafts can we do for Matariki?
Popular crafts include weaving stars from flax or paper strips, creating star constellations using black paper and chalk, making paper lanterns to represent light, and constructing kites to fly during the windy winter days.
What is the theme for Matariki 2024/2025?
Matariki themes often revolve around the core principles: Remembrance, Celebrating the Present, and Looking to the Future. Specific annual themes may vary by organization, but the focus remains on ‘Matariki Heri Kai’ (The feast of Matariki) and environmental stewardship.
Why do we fly kites during Matariki?
Kites are flown to honor the star Ururangi, which is associated with the winds. Historically, Māori believed kites could fly close to the heavens to bridge the gap between Earth and the gods, carrying messages and prayers.
What food is traditionally eaten on Matariki?
Traditional foods include kumara (sweet potato), fish and shellfish (representing Waitā and Waitī), birds (historically), and preserved vegetables. Modern celebrations often feature hāngī, fry bread, and vegetable soups.