Matariki - The Māori New Year

In Room 1, over the past few weeks, we have been learning about Matariki. We have looked at Matariki and it's significance, created a class korowai (cloak) and completed a Matariki star art piece (thank you to Mrs Whitson for helping us with this!) It looks fantastic and has brightened up our classroom.

"I have learnt that Matariki stands for little eyes. I have also learnt that Matariki determines whether the harvest will be productive or not. Bright stars mean that harvesting will begin early in September and the season will be productive. Dull stars are a sign that harvesting will start later in October." - Paige Rowley

"The part I enjoyed the most was doing the star art. I also liked doing the feather and the booklet on what I know about Matariki." - Connor Fa'asega

"I really liked that we got to do art during Matariki because it was fun. This was my favourite part because I like drawing and being creative." - Katie St Clair-Newman

"In Matariki, I have learnt that they fly kites to celebrate the coming of the New Year because they flutter close to the sky and stars." - Ollie Young

"I have learnt the stars names, which are Tupu-a-nuku, Tupu-a-rangi, Waiti, Waita, Waipuna-a-rangi, Ururangi and Matariki. I have also learnt that the cluster of stars is called the Pleiades." - Charlotte Casey-Douglas

"My favourite part of learning about Matariki was the art because it was creative and I had freedom to do what I wanted with my art. I was in charge of the centre piece and helped Miss Cooper put the star together." - Blake Armstrong