He Ngohe – Activities

Celebrate Matariki (Māori New Year) at your Playcentre. 

Each poster contains ideas for learning through play or activities relating to a different Matariki star.

1. Waitī is the star connected to fresh water and all the creatures that live in rivers, streams and lakes. 
2. Waitā is the star associated with food harvested from the sea. 
3. Waipunarangi is the star that symbolises the relationship water has to our life cycle, how it is evaporated from the rivers, oceans and lakes to fall again as the rain which we drink, and which nourishes the land.
4. Tupuānuku is the star connected with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food.
5. Tupuārangi is connected to food that comes from the sky.  Tupuārangi is the star connected to all elevated food products like berries, fruits harvested from trees and birds. 
6. Ururangi is the star connected to the winds which determines the nature of the winds for the year. Manu Aute or traditional Māori Kites played an important role in traditional times in understanding the wind and its behaviour. 
7. Pōhutukawa holds on to our memories of treasured people who have passed on. Kites were flown for many occasions including Matariki.  They were a way of sending messages to people who lived far away, and to people who had died.
8. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is a wishing star, who helps us to recognise our hopes, dreams and aspirations for the coming year.
9. Matariki is the mother of the kāhui (cluster). She is associated with health and wellbeing of people. She also is a sign of hope, reflection, our connection to the environment and people gathering.