Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades. Traditionally for Māori when it appeared just before dawn in late May or early June, it signalled the start of the Māori New Year. For some tribes, the rising of Puanga (Rigel in Orion) signals the start of the New Year. In the early 2000s Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission), the Ministry of Education and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, became involved in the revival of Matariki celebrations. 

Every year at Arrowtown School we celebrate Matariki in classes and share a Matariki assembly with the entire school. 

Kia ora koutou, 

Below is an email with a lot of information about the plan for Kaupapa Māori Focus for Term 2 as a follow up for what I discussed at Teachers meeting Week 8. 

Kā-muriwai Arrowtown Matariki Lights 

Unfortunately, this event on the Matariki Public Holiday, is not happening this year. I have been working with the Arrowtown Preschool and Kōhanga to create our own Arrwotown Matariki Celebration instead. 

(Celebrate Matariki in Arrowtown)

Whakanuia a Matariki ki Kāmuriwai 

Our very own Community Matariki Celebration will be held on Monday 23rd June at Arrowtown Primary School. The event is for Arrowtown Preschool, Te Kōhanga Reo o Whakatipu Waimāori, Arrowtown Primary School and whānau. We will open the event at 3:30pm with karakia and the lifting of the Hāngi, along with Kapa Haka from all 3 centres. Following the performances, Kai will be available for purchase (fundraisers for each centre), the Hall will be open as an exhibition, and there will be a map with the location of the 10 stars created by each centre for whānau to find. The event will be closed by 6pm. 

Due to this celebration - we will not have a whole school Matariki celebration assembly as in previous years - this will be it. 

Term 2 Matariki Learning 

Please make Matariki and learning around this kaupapa a priority for your class in Term 2. It would be great to have some art or any other learning on display for this celebration and encourage all whānau to attend - not just the kapa haka students. 

Some ideas for Matariki learning are attached. 

Matariki Star Artwork 

Each syndicate will create one large star that represents one of the stars of Matariki. This can be made from any medium, will need to be able to be outside (maybe under a veranda) and could be transported to enter into the Mīharo art competition in Term 3. 

Here's a breakdown of the key stars and their meanings:

• Matariki: The cluster itself, also known as the Pleiades, is connected to health, wellbeing, and is seen as a sign of good fortune. 

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• Puanga: While not part of the Matariki cluster, Puanga (Rigel) is a significant star, and in some areas, its rising is used to mark the Māori New Year. 

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• Pōhutukawa: Associated with those who have passed away, encouraging reflection and remembrance. 

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• Tupuārangi: Linked to food and growth above the ground, with a strong connection to birds and the sky. 

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• Waipuna-ā-rangi: Represents the rain, highlighting the importance of fresh rainfall. 

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• Ururangi: Associated with the winds, encouraging awareness of the power of the wind. 

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This year , you will work with your buddies to learn about Matariki. You will then share at Whole School Assembly Week 10 Wednesday. 

Arrowtown School Matariki Celebration and Ngā  Hau e Whā Opening 

Please keep Wednesday 22nd June (week 8 Wednesday) free in your diaries for an opening and celebration date. Please also keep this in mind when planning your Matariki learning, you may have art, a play etc that your syndicate would like to share. Each syndicate usually shares some of the learning. 

Matariki and maramatakaMatariki is the Māori name for a cluster of stars that will appear in the dawn sky from 25 June onwards. It’s a great context to introduce the wealth of tātai arorangi (Māori astronomical knowledge) regarding planting, harvesting and ocean navigation.

Maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar – marks the phases of the Moon. Learn aboutMoon phases and then chart its apparent movement across the sky.

The night sky and light pollution

Using our activity on constellations but finding it difficult to see the stars? Then join an online citizen science project. Loss of the Night is an app that helps you to find and log information on eight stars in your location. Globe at Night uses ongoing observations of the night skies – or photos of the night sky – for those with an early bedtime. Light pollution effects more than our evening views. Ahi Pepe MothNetexplores the impacts on moth communities.

Shadows – darkness during the dayLight and dark, day and night are part of the New Zealand Curriculum from level 1. Use our new resources to learn about light and shadows. Explore light fundamentals with the activity Investigating shadows. Then explore how shadows change due to the movement of the Earth and Sun. These resources are written for NZC levels 1 and 2 but are useful at other levels, too.

30 Year 5 & 6 Students went to Queenstown Primary School on 16.06.17 to celebrate Matariki with the rest of the basin. Watch this video to see what they did throughout the day. 

Arrowtown School Matariki Creations:

Matariki in Rooms 24, 25 & 26 "Matariki Kites that explain stories about Matariki"

Matariki in Room 22 - "Matariki Art that tells a story about our Goals"

Matariki Lanterns in Room 1 

Matariki - Year 1 & 2 Classwork

Room 23's Matariki Goals and Matariki Constellation Art Inspired by Dion Seeling