Manawatia a Matariki - Celebrate Matariki

The goal was to build stronger cultural understanding and a sense of whanaungatanga across the school.

How can students deepen their learning and connections about Matariki and its significance to Aotearoa?

Week 1: Learning about the stars related to food. 

Week 2: Learning about the traditions and how they are celebrated in Aotearoa and around the world. 

Week 3: Hāngi: What is it? How is it made? What is the history of hāngi

Week 4: Look to Hiwa-i-te-rāngi and Pōhutukawa to reflect and set goals.

In Week 1, each teacher focused on one star connected to food. This allowed akonga to explore one concept in-depth and share their learning in tuakana-teina buddy sessions. Food became a bridge for deeper learning whether through ecology, favourite kai, or cultural practices highlighting how Matariki connects us to the environment and each other.

The stars Waitī and Waitā remind us to reflect on the health of all waterways, oceans, and other bodies of water. Raparapa and Tuhuatahi focused on these two stars and how they remind us to care for the local bodies of water. These two teams learned about the resources that the ocean, rivers, and lakes provide us and how people around the country are using sustainable practices to ensure their longevity. 

Tupuārangi and Tupuānuku are the stars that remind us to reflect on the health of the ngahere (forest) and mara (gardens). Karapiti and Pirorirori focused on these two stars and looked at what kai and animals are categorised in these two groups. The two teams reflected on the health of the ngahere and mara and what foods and animals are associated with them.  Students made connections with each other by sharing their favourite bush walks, forest animals, and personal vegetable gardens.

Week 2 was all about the celebration of Matariki in Aotearoa and around the world. Raparapa and Pirorirori looked at what the Māori New Year is and how it is celebrated in Aotearoa. These two teams learned about historical traditions around Matariki and then worked to see how they  could create their own traditions during Matariki. The most important tradition across the teams is sharing kai and time with whānau. 

Tuhuatahi and Karapiti use the book written by Rangi Matamum, Matariki—A Cluster of Stars, a Cluster of Stories, to learn about how the Matariki cluster is used around the world in other cultures. This is an amazing resource that guide students around the world to learn about the stories and cultures of countries like Japan, Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, South America, Scandinavia, and Greece. Karapiti enacted plays of the stories to learn about the different stories, whilst Tuhuatahi learned about the commonalities in the stories told across the Pacific Ocean and in Australia. Each had unique perspectives and stories that connected all different cultures to a single star cluster. 

Week 3 was all about hāngi. For many years Wairākei Primary School made soup. Each class would work together to peel vegetables and make soups for all to share during lunchtime.  The idea was pitched of having a hāngi to continue learning about the history of Aotearoa and to explore ways to further deepen relationships with Oruanui Marae. Organising a hāngi for approximately 400 people was not an easy job.  It was so worth it. 

The school collaborated to donate vegetables, bread, and onions, while the school generously provided meat for all akonga, whānau, and helpers. Kumara, potatoes, pumpkin, and carrots were peeled and stuffing was made. All the kai was packaged up and taken to the hāngi pits at Oruanui Marae. 

Once everything was prepared, the school gathered on the courts to express gratitude to the volunteers at the marae. There was karakia, haka, and waiata. It was a beautiful way to showcase the relationship that Wairākei and Oruanui have.

Manukura did a fantastic job dishing out the food. There were ten trays of meat, large sacks filled with vegetables and stuffing, and hungry bellies awaiting their fill. For some it was their first time ever having hāngi. Nothing beats the earthy taste of a hāngi. 

Week 4 was about reflection and future goal setting. Hiwa-ī-te-rangi and Pōhutukawa are the stars that remind us to reflect on the past and loved ones who have passed away and make goals for the future. The school reflected on the past 6 months of school and celebrated all successes together. The school POWER values are woven through every part of the  Wairākei way. Each value is there to guide us for success and overcome challenges to be faced.

Matariki provided the school with a powerful opportunity to pause, reflect, and connect with each other, with the environment, and with the stories that shape Aotearoa and the world. Across the four weeks,  students developed a richer understanding of Māori perspectives, strengthened relationships with the local marae, and deepened their sense of pride in who they are and where they come from. Looking to the future with the guiding star Hiwa-i-te-rangi, everyone carries the spirit of Matariki forward together, stronger and more connected.

Matariki Star Reflections:

What is something new you’ve learned this year that you’re really proud of?

How to read fluently because it helps me read better. Science is fun to learn, and experiments to learn about the world. Aaliyah, Room 9

What is something new you’ve learned this year that you’re really proud of?

I learned how to ride my two-wheeler, and I learned how to do division. Braxton, Room 8

What have you learned about working in a team or group with others?

I learned about working in a team by letting people speak. Nova, Room 8

What is something new you’ve learned this year that you’re really proud of?
I am proud that I know all of my times tables only up to twelve. Because I did not know most of my times table last year. Abbie, Room 7

What is something new you’ve learned this year that you’re really proud of?

I am proud of my work on Times Tables Rockstar because I have learned my three times tables. 

I am proud of doing lots of writing during free choice writing time. I can now write lots of words in 10 minutes. Luca, Room 9

Hiwa-i-te-rangi Wishes

I want to get better at…

Swimming without floating things Eliyah, Room 7

My goal for Term 3 and 4 is…

My goal for terms three and four is to get my math test in a quicker time. Right now I can get it in three minutes and sixteen seconds. So my goal is to get my math test in two minutes. Florence, Room 7

I want to be a good friend by…

Being kind and saying nice words. I will keep my promises, help my friends when they are hurt, and let anyone who doesn't have someone to play with join my game. Taya, Room 7

I want to be a good friend by…

Including being helpful and showing whānau to all people and friends. Alice, Room 9

I will show power by…  

Showing pride in work and taking the opportunity to do new things and take care of other. Simron, Room 9