It was so wonderful to have everyone gathered together last night to to celebrate Matariki with us!

Matariki Heri Kai - The feast of Matariki is the theme for Matariki this year. Heri Kai comes from the Māori proverb, Matariki whetū heri kai, meaning Matariki, the bringer of food.  Good food is central to the spirit of manaakitaka (hospitality). There are few experiences that rival sharing a feast cooked in a traditional Māori hāngī a centuries-old cooking method perfect for feeding a crowd and bringing a community together. 

Last year our Māori whānau asked me what I had in mind for us to work towards and I said I really wanted all our tamariki to experience a hāngī and so I want to do a huge mihi to them for helping to make this happen!

Thank you to the following people:

• Mr Terry Hokianga ka mihi nui ki a koe- thank you for helping our kura and helping us make this hāngī happen! We really appreciate Mr H sharing his knowledge with us.

• Keryn Broughton who has been the driving force behind our hangi- keeping us all on track. I know you have had a few sleepless nights but we really appreciate all you have done to co-ordinate this wonderful event for us. To you a special mihi!

• Vertical Horizonz thank you for the generous donation of $1000 so we could keep our costs at $5. (Thanks again Mr H- Mr H works for this company)

• Dave from Bidfood- (Tova and Kora’s uncle) thank you for donating all the delicious vegetables.

• Corey Reid – thank you for the firewood and for putting holes in the irons.

• Roy Anderson and Rupert Denton also for your firewood donations. 

• Marcus Bulger, thanks so much for supplying the top soil.

• Tāhuna School for lending us their precious hangi baskets.

• Simon from Kiwirail for donation of irons and wood

• Hayley and the team that made the amazing stuffing balls- all 600 of them a big mihi to you and for your leadership with the food prep yesterday.

• Our great team of parents/whānau/tamariki that prepared all the kai yesterday.

• Adelaide Peihopa- your fry bread is legendary, thank you for making over 200 pieces for us. (It is my favourite!!!)

• To the helpers at the Hāngī pit yesterday, Terry Hokianga, Simon Martin, Hamiora Bennett, Rupert Denton, Greg Yee, Jeffrey Broughton, Matt Dadley, Kurt McEwan, Killian Hericourt, Regan Gentry - Special thanks and pakipaki to you all for your time and the huge effort and the responsibility involved with cooking our kai.

Finally to all of you our wonderful Macandrew Bay kura community - thanks for getting behind this very special event and coming out to celebrate Matariki with us.