Kia ora e te whānau o Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi,

The cold winds of Takirua have arrived, blanketing the whenua in rain, snow and cool southerlies. In this panui, we can celebrate with our community, enter the Whakataetae competition, listen to some Matariki waiata, celebrate the volunteers in your Centre and promte Rōpū Māori.  Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga!

Matariki mā Puanga 2025

The Matariki mā Puanga theme this year celebrates the unique cultural heritage of Aotearoa’s iwi, highlighting the distinct customs surrounding Matariki and Puanga. Now is the time to:

  • Whakamaumahara: Reflect on the past and honour those who have passed away in the last year
  • Whakanui: Live in the moment and celebrate with loved ones
  • Whakariterite: Look to the future and plan for the year ahead

Celebrate Matariki mā Punanga in your community.                                                                           

Across Aotearoa will be a wide variety of events including dawn ceremonies, stargazing nights, cultural performances, art exhibitions, and festivals. These celebrations offer opportunities for reflection, gratitude, feasting, and sharing the bounty of the harvest with whānau and friends. 

Find out what’s happening in your local community by checking out your local library, museum, marae, city or town councils.   News & Stories

Searching for Matariki mā Puanga, find out how you can find them here Matariki and Puanga Booklet.pdf

Whakataetae (Competition) 

 

Matariki mā Puanga Whakataetae.                                                                                                   

Share how you’re involving your wider hapori in your Matariki celebrations by Sunday 22 June to be in to win.

We are excited to give you the chance to win one of five awesome Matariki mā Puanga prize packs! 

Each prize pack will include $100 worth of kai to share with your centre whānau, as well as $100 worth of Te Ao Māori resources from the Playcentre Shop. 

All you need to do is share how you are involving your wider hapori (community) in your celebrations. Send us your videos, photos or learning stories to us on social media or [email protected] by Sunday 22 June. 

Some idea to think about: 

  • connect with mana whenua by seeing what events they have organised for Matariki, or
  • make Matariki the theme for your next Playcentre hapori event, or
  • get involved in one of the many Matariki community festivals being held across the motu, or
  • connect with your natural environment – e.g. the awa/rivers (Waiti star) or oceans (Waita star) 

The important bits: 

  • Entries close Sunday 22 June 2025.
  • All entries go into the draw to win.
  • By submitting an entry, you give permission for Playcentre Aotearoa to share the video/images/quotes publicly and internally.
  • Please ensure you have consent to use any photos of people and comply with copyright regulations for images and music.

Waiata Mai – sing some waiata

Matariki and star songs for kids – playlist by Itty Bitty Beats | Spotify

Loopy Tunes have video, actions and ukulele chords to their waiata.  Check out their website for more waiata.   Matariki Resources – Loopy Tunes Preschool Music

Hataitai Playcentre Ngā Waiata o te Taniwha – CD and songbook with ukulele chords is available to fill your home and centre with much loved waiata.

To purchase, email: [email protected] or available to download at https://taniwhacd.wixsite.com/playcentre/media

 More Matariki resources may be found here; playcentre.te-ao-maori-resources-and-events/matariki

Find social media videos and an editable learning story template here: https://www.playcentre.org.nz/member/pr-and-communications/social-media/

Whiria ngā tāngata – Weave the people together June 15 -21

Kia ora rawa atu!  Thank you to all our Playcentre volunteers!

National Volunteer Week celebrates the collective contribution of the millions of volunteers who enrich Aotearoa New Zealand. National Volunteer Week 2025 runs from June 15-21. This year’s theme is ‘Whiria te tangata – weaving the people together’. Volunteering weaves us together, strengthening the fabric of our community.

4 Ways to celebrate;

  1. Kaitahi – a celebration morning tea – kai and a cuppa
  2. Tohu – certificates or cards of appreciation – made with aroha
  3. He koha iti – a small gift of appreciation – a potted plant, yummy baking
  4. A social media post – a video singing the praises of volunteers

More ideas here https://tewhariki.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/matariki-me-puanga/5637164894.p

Rōpū Māori

If you identify as being whānau of tamariki Māori within Playcentre then you might wish to join our Rōpū!

Rōpū members bring their needs, and the needs of their tamariki, to governance discussions through their elected representatives. This ensures that decisions:

  • Reflect the aspirations of whānau Māori
  • Prioritise whānau Māori, and
  • Support nurturing environments where whānau Māori can thrive, and tamariki can confidently learn and grow.

Rōpū are organised on a geographical basis. Each of the six Rōpū has up to four representatives to advocate for their collective interests.

Register here: https://www.playcentre.org.nz/ropu-registration-form

More information on Rōpū and how to contact your elected representatives: https://www.playcentre.org.nz/whatwedo/ropu-maori