Matariki Te Mātahi o te Tau are our Aotearoa and indigenous culture. It is a unique and special time. In terms of the positive impacts for wellbeing, there are many. We'll outline our understanding of Matariki and its breadth of wellbeing goodness, but we know too that understanding and celebrating our culture, and the culture of others is great for the wellbeing of us all.
***We’ve bundled up all our Matariki activities into a workbook for kura***
This is the background to other Matariki activities we've created, so use it as best suit your tamariki - some will be super interested, and some will want to head to the activities straightaway! We suggest having a read-through here, checking out the other activities and choosing the best fit.
We’ve based this activity on the research of astronomer Dr Rangi Matamua.
There is some confusion over Matariki, which is believed to be the outcome of an early historian's account. This happens sometimes when we try to make sense of things, by comparing our new learning to the things we already know. This seems especially true for Matariki - it has been confused with the Greek Legend of the seven sisters, Pleiades (the same star cluster we know as Matariki). However, in Aotearoa the Matariki whetū (star) cluster are a mother (Matariki) and her children (sisters and brothers).
This activity is all about better understanding our Aotearoa and te ao Māori Matariki beliefs and customs. We really love Matariki and we know that understanding our culture, and acceptance of others's cultures, impacts all of our wellbeing positively. When we look at Te Whare Tapa Whā model, we can see Matariki positively affecting all five of the values.
Please note: Prof Rangi Matamua recognises his research is one interpretation, and that some iwi have differences. You may need to change some of the activities to accommodate this, for example reducing the number of stars from 9 to 7.
Throughout the whole Pacific the Matariki cluster of whetū (stars) is most commonly known as Matariki, which means the eyes of the chief or eyes of the God.
In Aotearoa, Matariki is shortened from Ngā mata o te ariki Tāwhirimātea (the eyes of the God Tāwhirimātea).
Tāwhirimātea is the God of weather who was deeply saddened and enraged with the separation of his parents Ranginui and Papatūānuku. Tāwhirimātea fought with his siblings, but was beaten by Tūmatauenga (the God of humanity, commonly known as the God of war). Tūmatauenga defeated Tāwhirimātea, and out of love for his father and spite for his brothers, Tāwhirimātea pulled out his eyes, crushed them and threw them upwards where they stuck to the chest of his father Ranginui – ngā mata o te ariki Tāwhirimātea (Matariki) – the eyes of the God Tāwhirimāmātea.
This also accounts for the weather being so wild and unpredictable. Tāwhirimātea is blind and angry.
Here's a video link to Prof Rangi Matamua explaining Matariki
You might like tamariki to research images of Tāwhirimātea, Tūmatauenga or Ranginui, or tamariki could draw or paint these Atua. We love the illustrations of Ngā Pūrākau (creation narratives) from Kuwi & Friends Māori Picture Dictionary by Kat Quin and Pānia Papa and have also seen posters of their illustrations too. The Christchurch City Libraries had an awesome collaboration with Maui studios depicting the whetū too!
There are so many great illustrated books about the Atua and Matariki (just be sure to look for the nine whetū).
Matariki changes every year because traditionally Māori follow the maramataka (lunar (moon) calendar) where the environment dictates timing. Whereas Western traditions follow a solar calendar which allows for times of year to remain the same e.g. New Years day. Here's Prof Rangi Matamua video to tell us more.
The best time to look for and celebrate Matariki is during the marama phase of Tangaroa. It marks the most prosperous time. These are the timings based on Dr Rangi Matamua's research
This year (2022), the first public holiday to celebrate Matariki will be on Friday 24 June, marking the reappearance of the constellation. The best time to view the Matariki cluster is early morning, just before dawn.
We thought this video was a pretty clear guide.
Some iwi believe there are 9 whetū (stars) that make up the Matariki cluster, and some 7 whetū. If this is your understanding and belief, please remove Pōhutukawa and Hiwaiterangi.
These Matariki whetū illustrations are available as slides here or to download. They may be useful for digital display or Seesaw activities. Some kōrero notes have been added below too.
You are really welcome to download this image and print as an A4 or A3 size, or use this colouring-in version. It would also be cool to project it up, and have tamariki recreate it - use ink and crayons, biodegradable glitter, black cardboard, star cut-outs and cellophane for window displays... we know how creative you are!
We also have these powerpoint slides to support your kōrero about each whetū with your tamariki
The stars of Matariki foretell the year ahead, based on each whetū brightness – the combination of these determines your year winter to winter, especially in terms of kai (nourishment). Matariki signals mātahi o te tau (the new year).
The importance of Matariki on the following year required an offering te umu kohukohu whētu – a sacred kai ceremony from the stars (as they bring the previous year’s bounty) to feed the weary, hard-working chiefs of the sky.
It is also a time to ‘release’ our loved ones who have passed away during the year. Their names are called out in order that Pōhutukawa can carry their mātu (spirit) as part of Te Waka o Rangi, another cluster of whetū (forming a waka) which gathers mātu over a year, and eventually casting these out as whetū (stars).
Learn a Matariki waiata in preparation for your special event... Here's our favourite from our friends at Tākai and Loopy Tunes (who also feature in our Matariki video above!)
