On Friday, 20th of June, we celebrated Matariki – Maori New Year! Matariki marks the Māori New Year, a time for remembering loved ones, celebrating the present, and looking forward to new beginnings.
All studios and children participated in a range of meaningful and creative activities to learn about the significance of Matariki and celebrate this special time together.
Africa Studio: Matariki was explored through sensory star bags, with children enjoying the movement and texture, follow
ed by spontaneous play with spinning toys and puzzles.
ed by spontaneous play with spinning toys and puzzles.Asia Studio: Celebrations included Māori songs like “Oma Rapeti” and “One Day a Taniwha,” with children making sensory star bottles and colourful shooting stars.
Antarctica & Europe Studios: Children learnt about the 9 Matariki stars through music and discussion, then used their creativity to make night sky artworks with stars and glue.
Americas Studio: After watching a video on the Matariki stars, children engaged in hands-on activities like creating playdough solar systems, shiny star collages, and tracing Māori patterns.
Oceania Studio: Children explored Matariki through group discussions, storytime with Flit the Fantail, and creative activities like star painting and decorating feathers for a class kakahu (cloak).