MATARIKI

Main Reading Text (2021)

In recent years, Māori have revived the celebration of Matariki, our indigenous New Year. Matariki is the cluster of seven stars in the Taurus constellation. The Matariki constellation is special to people around the world, and to Māori it signifies the changing of the seasons, new beginnings, and a time for looking after the environment.

The Matariki Public Holiday Bill has been passed.

The Government has created a new public holiday for Aotearoa by passing the Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o Te Kāhui o Matariki / Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act.

The Bill, Te Pire mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o Te Kāhui o Matariki / Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill, was only the fifth dual language Bill to be introduced to our Parliament.

The first public holiday to celebrate Matariki will be on Friday 24 June 2022.

The Government has committed to ensuring mātauranga Maori is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday, and it will be a time for:

Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki.
Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have.
Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a new year.

Matariki Activities_2020

Copy of Copy of Matariki Year 5-8 Digital Scavenger Hunt

STEAM Activities & Challenges from Digital Circus

Make a Copy

Challenging Text

Read the article about the Tohunga.

1. Activities Link

2. Read the story The Tohunga

- Choose TWO of the following activities
  - Create a timeline of significant events in the story. Include images
  - Research the role of a tohunga and create an infographic.
  - Illustrate a significant scene from the story.
  - Choose a character. Write two diary entries that they might have written. Choose times that show a change for that character.
  - Explain how the relationship between Turi and the tohunga changed during the course of the story. use quotes from the story to help explain how you know.
  - Turi was brave to speak out to his peers. Write about a time where you have had to speak up even though it wasn't easy.
  - How is the tohunga like Ashley Bloomfield, Jacinda Ardern and others who have spoken up to keep us safe during Covid 19?