For the past fifteen years, Mayfield Kindergarten, KiNZ Ōtara, Yendarra Kindergarten, Flat Bush Kindergarten and Bairds Kindergarten have come together with their whānau to celebrate Matariki.

This year, KiNZ Ōtara hosted the event, which took place inside the marae at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Lisa, the Centre Manager of KiNZ Ōtara, in keeping with tradition decided it would be a great idea to offer a hangi lunch for 250 people as the marae offered the use of commercial hangi cookers!

Whanaungatanga was shown through all aspects of the preparation as staff, parents, whānau, businesses and children took on a variety of responsibilities to make the celebration a success.

After a short pōwhiri, the children were shown a different way to hongi during COVID-19 times, then everybody shared a delicious morning kai. Waiata were sung, poi twirled, last year’s recordings revisited, gifts shared and the dolphin carving presented to Yendarra Kindergarten, who will host next year’s celebration.

Each site presented a whāriki to add to the 2020 Matariki combined whāriki. Finally, KiNZ Ōtara gifted each kindergarten a kete full of awesome resources. Everyone really appreciated the hard work of Lisa and her team.

Bring on 2022 for Yendarra Kindergarten’s turn!