Why we love Karawhiua mai ōu moemoeā Matariki - Make a Matariki wish!
Connecting with Matariki is an important part of our Aotearoa culture. Feeling proud of our culture and identity impacts positively on our wellbeing. The reason we particularly love this activity is it connects us with Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the wishing whetū. Here take a careful look at moemoeā (wishes) and help tamariki learn the skills to make these come true!
You could either recreate this Karawhiua mai ōu moemoeā Matariki - Make a Matariki wish worksheet, or print it out. You might want to create more for each of you.
Kōrero
If you're keen to explore Matariki you might like to use this information as a guide.
Focus on Hiwa-i-te-rangi who is known as the wishing star. It is to Hiwa-i-te-rangi that we send their moemoeā (wishes) or make a resolution for the coming year - similar to wishing upon a star.
We love this video from Prof Rangi Matamua (whose work we draw upon a lot!).
Then explore moemoeā (wishes)!
Kōrero with your child about their wheako (experiences) of moemoeā (wishes) – have they made some before, have they come true?
What to do
Using your worksheet, write down a moemoeā (wish) that you might send up to Hiwa-i-te-rangi. Make sure it’s a proper, super good wish!
He aha te take o tēnei moemoeā? Think about why this wish is important.
Share your moemoeā or hopes and dreams with each other - make sure to note that Hiwa-i-te-rangi has no rules around this – the moemoeā (wish) may still come true even if you share!
Check-in with how likely they think it is that the moemoeā (wish) will come true?
Continue to complete the worksheet and kōrero about what you're noticing as you go through.
Most tamariki will have chosen an extrinsic moemoeā (wish)… no surprises huh?!
Intrinsic and extrinsic moemoeā
Introduce the concept of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.
- Intrinsic – inside of ourselves: being kinder, braver, getting better at maths, hockey or poetry
- Extrinsic – outside of ourselves: doing or getting something that usually costs money!
Make another moemoeā (wish) – an intrinsic moemoeā this time.
Continue with the worksheet - why it’s important and the continuum, then ask:
- What can help our moemoeā (wishes) to come true?
Tamariki might have lots of good ideas here – things they’ve been told, that they hold dear and true!
Ways to make wishes come true
Our moemoeā (wishes) are more likely to come true if:
- we let someone know
- we write it down
- we have some way of helping or influencing the moemoeā to come true
Continue with the worksheet - Me aro tonu – what are they noticing?
Why we often focus on extrinsic wishes
Explain that lots of us wish for extrinsic things - why do you think this is? They can:
- be a fast ‘good feelings’ fix – but only for a short period time
- help us show off! – but soon goes out of fashion/style
But intrinsic things we have some control over. They also are better for our wellbeing (how we feel).
Ask why intrinsic wishes are better for our wellbeing. Some reasons include:
- they can last a life-time
- they can propel us to do good things for ourselves and others
Complete the origami whetū, adding your moemoeā (wishes) to the inside to keep them hidden and safe. Add to the fridge over Matariki time, or use as part of Whetū Bunting!
