Char Martin Acknowledgment
He mihi nui ki te Runga Rawa, nana ngā mea katoa,
Ka tangihia ki a rātou mā kua wehe atu ki te pō, ara ki a Char Martin,
kua wheturangitia ki te korowai o Ranginui, moe mai rā e kui, okioki atu rā,
Ka āpiti hono te hunga mate ki te hunga mate, ka āpiti hono te hunga ora ki te hunga ora,
E ngā hau e wha o Te Whānau Tupu Ngatahi o Aotearoa, nau mai, piki mai, kake mai!
E E kī ana te kōrero a ō tīpuna, Ko Matariki te kaitō i te hunga pakeke ki te pō,
No reira, tēna koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou.
Greetings to the Almighty who created our world.
We weep for those who have departed from us, to Char Martin and others,
to be adorned as stars on the cloak of Ranginui, be at eternal rest,
let the dead be with the dead and the living be with the living,
To all our whānau of Playcentre Aotearoa,
According to our forebears, it is Matariki who draws the frail into the endless night,
Greetings to you all, indeed to all of us.
Matariki
Matariki ahunga nui – The great mounds of Matariki
Matariki will be observed on 14th July this year, which happens to be during the school holidays. When Matariki can be seen in the early morning just before sunrise, it is the beginning of the Māori New Year. Matariki is also known as the Pleides and acknowledged throughout the world by different names. They are all connected to the environment, the taiao – planting and harvesting kai, weather, gathering together, honouring those who have died, celebrating the present and planning for the future.
Pūanga or Pūaka
Some Iwi can observe the star Pūanga (Rigel) more clearly than Matariki. Tribes from the far North, Taranaki and Whanganui recognise Pūanga and Pūaka is celebrated in parts of the South Island.
Puanga kai rau – The abundant harvest of Puānga
The difference between Puanga and Matariki | Te Papa
What and who is Matariki? | Te Papa
Te Waka o Rangi – Matariki Competition/ Whakataetae
Last month the kōrero of Te Waka o Rangi was featured along with a Competition – He Whakataetae for some amazing prizes. All you have to do is send in your stories and photos telling us how you will incorporate Te Waka o Rangi in your Centre Activities. Karawhiua e hoa mā!
Life Membership awarded to Erana Rattray
“I went for him and stayed for myself”
Erana Rattray was honoured with life membership at her home centre, Te Whānau Tupu Ngatahi o Rākau Whero, Redwood Playcentre where she had taken up many local and regional roles. Friends and whānau were all there to celebrate by planting a special garden. E tipu e rea ka tipu koe hei tangata e! – Grow and be nurtured into an adult!
Poroaki for Kingston
A poroaki for a special tamaiti, many happy memories for five year old Kingston as his days at Te Whānau Tupu Ngatahi o Mangatangi are celebrated with kōrero, kai with friends and the adornment of the Centre Kākahu.
Big Cousin Chelsea, Kingston and mum Polly
Te Whānau Tupu Ngatahi Tō Whānau
Celebrate Trees – Whakanuia ngā Rākau 4-12 June 2021
Which native tree are you like? Follow the clues on the poster to find out what tree you are like. A Papakupu – Glossary has all the words for you to follow. The Kiwi Conservation Club – Hakaturi Toa, have lots of activities for tamariki on their website, Scavenger Hunts, Making dinosaur talons and more.
Which native tree are you like?
Waiata E Tū Kahikatea is a classical waiata by Hirini Melbourne. Watch the video below for some actions.
Waiata E Tū Kahikatea (video)
National Volunteer Week – Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu 18-24 June 2023
This week honours the collective energies and mana of volunteers in Aotearoa. Let us recognise and celebrate volunteers, and thank them for the difference they make and the impact they have on our communities.
New Zealand Garden Bird Survey Week 24 June – 2 July 2023
The garden bird survey is a simple bird-watching activity that connects children with the outside environment the taiao. Strong bird populations can indicate the environment is healthy. We know a lot about endangered native birds in the bush, but we don’t always know what’s happening in the populations of all the birds around us, particularly in urban and garden environment
From Mountains to the Sea series posters – Kiwi Conservation Club (kcc.org.nz)
Bird songs and calls: free native birdsong sound recordings (doc.govt.nz)
Bird colouring-in sheets. NZ Garden Bird Survey
Colouring competition | NZ Garden Bird Survey
Bird masks -black and white. NZ Garden Bird Survey
NZGBS -Illustrated bird poster
NZGBS – Illustrated bird poster 2