Celebrating Matariki 2023

Celebrating Matariki 2023

18 August 2023

Te tuakiritanga, te reo me te ahurea

Identity, language, and culture

 

Te Whāriki affirms the identities, languages, and cultures of all children, whānau, kaiako, and communities from a strong bicultural foundation. Each ECS setting’s curriculum whāriki recognises the place of Māori as tangata whenua of this land. All children are given the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the cultural heritages of the partners to Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi. The integration of kaupapa Māori concepts (Māori values and philosophy) and te reo Māori (Māori language) supports cultural, linguistic, social, and environmental diversity.

At Nurtured at Home, one of the ways we recognise Māori as tangata whenua is acknowledging and celebrating Matariki. Throughout the motu, we engaged with whānau and offered a wide range of activities for tamariki to engage in throughout Matariki. Activities and events took place at Educator’s homes and in community spaces, playgroups and Discovery Days. Here’s some of the ways we celebrated:

  • Learning about the Matariki stars through art, craft, storytelling and picture cards
  • Making and sharing kai together in Educator’s homes and at playgroups
  • Making and flying kites
  • Small spaces set up to explore the Matariki cluster
  • Activity trays with Matariki resources
  • Modelling stars with clay
  • Games involving Matariki stars
  • Making lanterns
  • Sharing special messages with whānau