Matariki

What is Matariki?

It is the name of a group of seven stars.

Matariki is the name for the maori new year.

We know it is Matariki when the '7 sisters' can be seen in the sky.

Why is Matariki important?

It only happens once a year.

It is a time for people to get together and enjoy feasting.

It celebrates new beginnings.

It is part of Maori culture and helped Maori people navigate at sea.

How do people celebrate Matariki?

Having lunch with their family's.

Singing maori songs (waiata).

What have LZ3 learnt about Matariki?

How to make a traditional maori kite from toetoe and harakeke.

We had to send a prayer to Papatuanuku to ask permission to use toetoe and harakeke for the kite.

We learnt how to cut harakeke properly.

We read a myth about Matariki and the 7 sisters.They were patupairehe who were sent up to Uru when they caused trouble.

We learnt a song about Matariki. 

We gave our flax kite to Mrs Jackways in the library. It is tradition to give away the first thing you make. We sang the Matariki song to her too.