Matariki and Education

Incorporating the Celebration into School Curriculums

Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a time for remembering loved ones, giving thanks, and setting intentions for the future. It begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster in the midwinter sky and has long been observed by Māori as a season of reflection and renewal. As it becomes more widely celebrated across Aotearoa New Zealand—especially now as an official public holiday—many schools are looking for meaningful ways to recognise and participate in this important tradition.

To reflect the values of inclusivity and cultural responsiveness, more educators are choosing to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums. Doing so not only honours Māori heritage but also creates rich learning opportunities for all students. When schools embed Matariki into classroom activities and broader learning programs, they help foster cultural understanding, build connections to the land and sky, and support students’ sense of identity and belonging.

Incorporating Matariki isn’t just about holding an event or art project. It’s about weaving Māori perspectives into everyday learning—through science, storytelling, the arts, and community engagement. This article explores why it’s important to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, how to do it effectively, and the positive impact it can have on students, teachers, and the wider school community.

Understanding the Cultural Importance of Matariki

Before schools can effectively incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, it’s important to understand what Matariki represents. Matariki is the name of the star cluster also known as the Pleiades, which appears in the winter sky and signals the beginning of the Māori lunar new year. For Māori, this time is traditionally used to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future. It’s a period marked by sharing food, storytelling, singing, and connecting with both people and the environment.

Each of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster holds a special meaning, linked to aspects of the natural world such as freshwater, ocean life, rain, wind, crops, and the remembrance of loved ones. These meanings reflect Māori values around the interconnectedness of people, nature, and the universe. Teaching students about Matariki is not just about stars—it’s about identity, history, environmental knowledge, and cultural understanding.

When schools take the time to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums in a meaningful way, they provide students with a chance to learn about te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) through authentic experiences. It also allows Māori students to see their culture recognised and valued within their learning environment. For all learners, it builds awareness, empathy, and a greater appreciation for the diverse stories that shape New Zealand.

Why Schools Should Incorporate Matariki into School Curriculums

There are strong educational, cultural, and social reasons to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums. At its core, doing so supports the principles of equity, inclusion, and biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand. Matariki is not just a cultural event—it is a reflection of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems), and by including it in learning programs, schools honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and help uphold the rightful place of Māori culture in education.

One of the most important benefits is that it promotes cultural awareness and understanding. When students learn about Matariki, they are introduced to Māori perspectives on time, the environment, and the importance of whānau (family). It helps all students, regardless of their background, to better understand the history and traditions that shape our national identity.

Incorporating Matariki also has practical educational benefits. Studies show that when students feel their identities are reflected in what they learn, they are more engaged, motivated, and likely to succeed. For Māori students especially, seeing their culture valued at school helps build pride, belonging, and confidence. For non-Māori students, it’s an opportunity to grow empathy, respect, and connection to the land and people of Aotearoa.

Furthermore, Matariki lends itself well to cross-curricular learning. It can be used to teach science (astronomy and environmental cycles), literacy (myths, storytelling, and reflection), social studies (culture and history), the arts (music, dance, visual art), and even mathematics (patterns, calendars, and navigation). This makes it a flexible and enriching addition to any school programme.

In short, to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums is to create space for meaningful, relevant, and inclusive education—an approach that benefits every student.

How to Incorporate Matariki into School Curriculums

There are many ways schools can incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, whether through individual classroom lessons or whole-school events. The key is to move beyond one-off activities and create opportunities for students to explore Matariki through multiple learning areas and experiences.

One of the most effective approaches is to integrate Matariki into existing subjects. In science, students can learn about the Matariki star cluster, its role in navigation, and its seasonal significance. In literacy, they can read and write legends, poems, or personal reflections related to the themes of Matariki, such as remembrance and renewal. In social studies, they can explore the origins of Matariki, different iwi traditions, and the broader context of Māori history and language.

The arts provide further opportunities for creative exploration. Students can make Matariki stars, kites (manu tukutuku), or symbolic collages using natural materials. Music and performing arts classes might include learning waiata (songs), haka, or storytelling through movement. These activities not only allow for cultural expression but also help students connect emotionally and personally to the celebration.

In addition to classroom learning, many schools choose to hold a Matariki celebration. This could include a dawn ceremony, a shared meal (hākari), performances, or an art exhibition. Involving local iwi, kaumātua, or Māori educators in these events helps ensure authenticity and provides an opportunity for students to learn directly from knowledge holders within the community.

To support meaningful learning, schools can also create bilingual displays, Matariki-themed learning walls, or reflection spaces. Teachers may introduce students to the meanings of the nine stars and link each one to a classroom activity or personal goal.

Ultimately, the goal is not just to teach about Matariki, but to embed its values—such as aroha (love), manaakitanga (caring for others), and whanaungatanga (relationships)—into the classroom. When schools incorporate Matariki into school curriculums in this way, they create a more inclusive, respectful, and engaging environment for all students.

Practical Examples and Activities for the Classroom

When looking for ways to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, it’s important that activities are not only creative but also grounded in cultural meaning. Practical, hands-on learning can help students understand the deeper values of Matariki while building engagement across age groups and learning styles.

One simple but powerful classroom activity is teaching the meaning of each of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster. Each star relates to a part of the natural world—freshwater, ocean, rain, wind, food from the earth or sky, remembering the dead, dreams for the future, and overall well-being. Assigning each student or group a star to research and present on allows them to connect with both the environment and cultural knowledge in an age-appropriate way.

Another engaging activity is a Matariki “gratitude wall” or “wish tree,” where students write something they are thankful for or a goal they would like to achieve in the new year. This connects well with the star Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, which represents hopes and aspirations, and encourages personal reflection in a classroom setting.

Arts and crafts are another easy way to explore the Matariki theme. Students can create paper stars, kites, flax bookmarks, or a collaborative mural showing the night sky. These projects help students develop fine motor skills, teamwork, and cultural appreciation.

In literacy lessons, students can read Māori legends associated with the stars or write their own stories inspired by Matariki themes such as remembrance, new beginnings, and whānau. They can also write poems or short reflections on what Matariki means to them personally.

For schools with access to outdoor space, activities could include planting a class garden or native tree to represent growth, renewal, and care for the environment. This ties in with the values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the earth), which are central to Māori beliefs and to the meaning of Matariki.

By building these types of activities into the school calendar, teachers can ensure they incorporate Matariki into school curriculums in a way that is practical, respectful, and memorable for students. These lessons are not just about cultural content—they are about creating learning experiences that encourage reflection, empathy, and connection.

School-Wide Celebrations and Community Involvement

Another meaningful way to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums is through whole-school celebrations that involve not just students and teachers, but also whānau and the wider community. These events can help reinforce the values of unity, respect, and reflection that lie at the heart of Matariki.

Many schools choose to host a Matariki celebration week, which may include a range of activities such as dawn karakia (prayer ceremonies), shared meals, cultural performances, and exhibitions of student work. Starting the day with a dawn gathering can be especially powerful, as it mirrors traditional Māori practices of rising early to view the stars and offer remembrance for those who have passed.

A shared kai (meal), where students and families bring food to share, helps to build relationships and create a sense of togetherness. It also offers an opportunity to discuss traditional Māori foods like kumara, rewena bread, or puha, and the importance of seasonal planting cycles reflected in Matariki celebrations.

Schools may also organise performances featuring waiata, haka, storytelling, or kapa haka. Students can work on these performances in class in the weeks leading up to the event, combining arts, language, and cultural studies in one cohesive project. These moments allow students to showcase what they’ve learned in a way that is engaging and meaningful to them.

To deepen the authenticity of these events, schools can invite local iwi, kaumātua, or Māori educators to speak, lead workshops, or share stories. This not only strengthens community ties but ensures that the knowledge being shared is accurate and respectful of Māori customs. It also shows students that learning can happen not just from books, but from people and experiences around them.

When schools create inclusive events like these, they do more than just celebrate Matariki — they incorporate Matariki into school curriculums as a living, evolving part of the educational journey. These experiences leave lasting impressions on students and reinforce the idea that every culture has wisdom worth learning and honouring.

Supporting Teachers to Incorporate Matariki into School Curriculums

For schools to meaningfully incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, teachers need to feel supported, informed, and confident in delivering culturally responsive content. While many educators are eager to embrace Matariki, some may feel unsure about how to do so in a way that is respectful, accurate, and meaningful.

Professional development is a key part of this process. Schools can provide training opportunities focused on te ao Māori (the Māori world), local iwi history, tikanga (cultural practices), and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems). These workshops not only build teachers’ understanding but also help them feel more equipped to integrate Matariki into everyday teaching.

Another important step is encouraging collaboration with Māori leaders, community members, and whānau. Inviting local experts to share their knowledge in the classroom—whether through storytelling, music, or environmental education—adds richness and authenticity that cannot be replicated through textbooks alone. It also models a more inclusive way of teaching and learning that values community voices.

Teaching resources are also essential. The Ministry of Education and various education platforms offer lesson plans, unit guides, books, and videos to help schools incorporate Matariki into school curriculums. Many of these resources are available in both English and te reo Māori, supporting bilingual learning and normalising te reo in the classroom.

Teachers should also be encouraged to integrate Matariki in ways that suit their students’ interests and levels. This could mean using visual art in junior classes, more research-focused projects in upper primary or secondary levels, or cross-curricular units that tie in science, literacy, and social studies. Flexibility allows teachers to meet learning objectives while honouring the values and stories behind Matariki.

Ultimately, building teacher confidence and cultural competence is essential for sustainable, meaningful integration. When teachers feel supported, they are better able to lead rich, engaging learning experiences—and in doing so, they help ensure that efforts to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums are not tokenistic, but transformative.

Real-Life Examples: How Schools Are Celebrating Matariki

To understand the impact of efforts to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, it’s helpful to look at what’s already working in classrooms and communities across Aotearoa. Many schools have found creative, authentic ways to bring Matariki into everyday learning, showing that even small steps can lead to meaningful outcomes.

At a primary school in South Auckland, teachers collaborated with local kaumātua to design a week-long Matariki program. Each day focused on one of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster, with students learning its meaning and participating in a related activity. For example, on the day dedicated to Waitī, the class visited a nearby stream to learn about freshwater ecosystems and environmental protection. This cross-curricular approach helped students link Matariki to science, te reo Māori, and environmental education.

A rural school in Otago held a whānau evening where students presented art, poetry, and digital storytelling projects based on their learning about Matariki. The evening began with a karakia and closed with a shared hākari (feast) that included traditional Māori ingredients. Parents and grandparents were invited to speak about their own experiences of Matariki, creating a sense of shared history and cultural connection.

In a kura kaupapa Māori setting, Matariki is already central to the school year. Lessons are designed around the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), with learning guided by seasonal changes and the meanings of each star. This approach shows how schools can fully integrate Matariki into both the rhythm of teaching and the lived experiences of their students.

These examples highlight that when schools incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, the results go beyond the classroom. They help build stronger relationships between students, teachers, and whānau. They encourage pride in Māori identity. And they show how cultural celebrations, when approached with care and collaboration, can enrich learning across all levels.

Challenges and Considerations

While many schools are eager to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that can arise—especially when aiming to do so respectfully and meaningfully. Understanding these challenges is the first step to addressing them in a way that upholds cultural integrity and educational value.

One common concern among teachers is the fear of getting it wrong. Educators may worry about mispronouncing te reo Māori, misrepresenting traditions, or unintentionally treating Matariki as a superficial theme rather than a deeply cultural and spiritual event. These concerns are valid and highlight the need for appropriate training, resources, and support from school leadership and the wider community.

Time and curriculum pressure can also be a barrier. With packed teaching schedules and growing demands in literacy, numeracy, and assessment, teachers may struggle to find room for new content. However, the key to overcoming this is integration—embedding Matariki across multiple learning areas rather than treating it as a standalone topic. When schools incorporate Matariki into school curriculums through a cross-curricular approach, it becomes a natural part of learning rather than an added task.

Another consideration is ensuring that Matariki is not treated as a one-day event or token celebration. To be effective and respectful, schools must engage with the deeper meaning of Matariki, involve Māori voices in planning and delivery, and create space for genuine reflection and cultural exchange. That means looking beyond surface-level activities and making Matariki part of an ongoing commitment to bicultural education.

Finally, access to Māori knowledge and cultural guidance is not always evenly distributed. Some schools—especially those in rural areas or with limited Māori community engagement—may find it harder to connect with iwi or kaumātua. In such cases, schools can seek support from local councils, education hubs, or online resources created by Māori educators and organisations.

Despite these challenges, schools that are willing to learn, consult, and collaborate can still make real progress. By taking a thoughtful approach and being open to guidance, every school in Aotearoa can find a way to meaningfully incorporate Matariki into school curriculums—and in doing so, strengthen the cultural foundation of their teaching.

Long-Term Benefits of Incorporating Matariki into Education

When schools consistently incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, the impact extends far beyond a single celebration or classroom project. Over time, students begin to develop a deeper, more respectful understanding of Māori culture, and this contributes to building a more inclusive and culturally aware society.

For Māori students, seeing their language, stories, and values reflected in the school environment strengthens identity and promotes a sense of belonging. When students feel that their culture is recognised and valued, it supports their confidence, engagement, and academic achievement. Matariki becomes more than a learning topic—it becomes part of how students see themselves and their place in the world.

For all students, learning about Matariki fosters empathy, curiosity, and respect for different perspectives. It teaches the importance of remembering those who came before, caring for the environment, and looking ahead with purpose. These are not just cultural lessons—they are life lessons that help shape thoughtful, compassionate citizens.

Schools that incorporate Matariki into school curriculums also strengthen their relationships with whānau and local communities. Involving parents, grandparents, and iwi in learning and events builds trust, encourages shared responsibility, and reinforces the idea that education is a collective journey. This can lead to stronger school cultures and better outcomes for everyone involved.

In the long term, consistent engagement with Matariki helps normalise the presence of te ao Māori within the education system. It supports the goals of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by making Māori knowledge and traditions a visible, living part of everyday school life. It reminds students that Aotearoa is a country shaped by many voices—and that learning to honour those voices is part of growing up here.

By embedding Matariki as part of regular teaching practice, not just a seasonal celebration, schools help lay the groundwork for a future where biculturalism is not just respected, but lived. The benefits of choosing to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums are lasting, meaningful, and felt across generations.

Conclusion: Honouring the Stars, Strengthening Our Future

Matariki offers a unique opportunity for schools across Aotearoa to celebrate culture, foster reflection, and deepen connections between students, whānau, and the wider community. It’s more than a seasonal event—it’s a gateway to understanding Māori knowledge, values, and ways of seeing the world.

When schools choose to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, they are doing more than recognising a cultural celebration. They are affirming the importance of identity, belonging, and shared history. They are creating spaces where Māori students see themselves reflected in the classroom and where all students can learn from the richness of te ao Māori. They are also modelling what it means to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice, not just principle.

By embedding Matariki into learning across subjects and year levels, educators can foster curiosity, empathy, and respect. These are values that will guide students well beyond school—into how they understand their place in Aotearoa and how they treat others in an increasingly diverse world.

As the stars of Matariki rise each year, they remind us to look up, reflect deeply, and look forward with purpose. When we incorporate Matariki into school curriculums, we ensure that this tradition continues to inspire, educate, and unite future generations.