Matariki is more than stars for our tamariki at Waitākere Kindergarten! Matariki for us was a journey full of reflection, community, empowerment, togetherness and belonging.

From our Pohutakawa tree where the tamariki were able to place their loved ones that had passed to the Hiwa-i-te-rangi star where the tamariki spend time setting their own personal aspirations and reflecting on what they are good at during each of their mana interviews.  This was also a time we as a team reflected on our own aspirations for the year ahead.

Waitā and Waitī where connected through a variety of arts and craft activities. Group and individual conversations around pollutions and toxic infestations within our seas and lakes and the popular song Kina Kina. The stories Māui and the giant fish and Tangaroa god of the sea empowered our tamariki to ask lots more questions around the history of our oceans and lakes. The tamariki were encouraged to send in photos of their experiences at the beach and at the river, some even had photos of the fish they had caught.

Ururangi was celebrated through kite making, bubble blowing, talking about the importance of wind and watching how wind creates movement in our environment and the sounds that come with it.

Waipunarangi was investigated through our conversations around rain and how it helps our environment and enjoying the magical treasures left in our playground after rain – puddles etc. Discussions around the difference between rain and hail and why and even a science experiment where the tamariki got to see how rain is made through condensation.

Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi were explored through matariki fruit salad making, matariki soup and matariki pizzas, all tamariki kindly gifted one ingredient for each of these experiences. The tamariki also got to pick fruit off our trees for our fruit salad and vegetables from our garden for our soup. We enjoyed planting new vegetables, herbs, garlic and another fruit tree gifted from a family. The bird survey provided the perfect opportunity to observe the birds native to New Zealand that frequent our environment and how worms not only play an important part in our soils but also for the wider ecosystem.

Matariki encompassed all that we did together, to see our tamariki confidently and correctly saying each star and understanding in such an authentic way the meaning behind them was quite humbling and empowering for us kaiako. Whanau were very supportive and even learnt a lot too, they sent in lots of photos of their matariki experiences which were shared at our mat times. Lastly the book ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Matariki’ provided the perfect start to the amazing journey we have been on. To end with a Matariki Disco where past and present tamariki were invited and participate in the community Matariki Lights competition was the perfect way to conclude our Matariki festivities and start our holidays.