Matariki is the Māori New Year and we celebrate it every year at Milford Kindergarten. Its arrival is marked by the re-appearance of the star cluster of 9 whetū (stars) in mid June. Each of the whetū is connected to elements of the natural world. 2022 is the first year where Aotearoa has celebrated the arrival of Matariki with a National Holiday.

This year our intention at Milford Kindergarten has been to deepen tamariki understandings of the cluster of stars and their importance from a te Ao Māori perspective to us in our lives as we live together here in Aotearoa. As Matariki approached we offered a wide range of activities and experiences ranging from books and waiata to interactive star domes, displays, art activities, weaving, kite making and more. Our Matariki celebrations culminated in a Matariki hapori (community) hui where whānau participated in activities with an environmentally conscious focus. Tamariki and whānau had the opportunity to create beeswax lunch wraps, clay tea lights, Matariki t-shirts, explore worm farms, create folded paper star crafts and enjoy storytelling. We finished the evening with a kaitahi (shared meal) with each whānau contributing a dish which reflected their home culture or was a favourite for their whānau. It felt wonderful to come together to enjoy being a part of our hapori (community) at this very special time of year. Mānawatia a Matariki!