Celebrating Matariki (the Māori New Year) has become very special at Māpua School and we warmly invite whānau and friends to another exciting event for 2023. As well as Hāngi (order via kindo.co.nz), there will be a Mātariki market, Kapahaka performance, open classrooms (with our Aotearoa New Zealand Histories learning on display) and our annual Hiwa i te Rangi (talent show). It just can't be missed!

Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar which marks the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead. 

In 2022 Mātariki became a public holiday for the first time in New Zealand. However, for many years Māpua School has celebrated the importance of Mātariki and it's become a special way to connect with whānau and friends and to see our tamariki 'shine'. 

For some people, the Matariki star cluster is made up of seven stars, while for others it’s nine. So which is it? Both!

We’re often asked as teachers about the number of stars that make up the Matariki star cluster which appears in the night sky during mid-winter. Different iwi share different kōrero regarding Matariki. Some iwi are unable to see Matariki from their rohe, while some iwi herald the new year with a star named Puanga. Oral histories passed down will differ between iwi, hapū, subtribes and whānau.

What the nine stars mean:

• Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment, and the gathering of people. Matariki is also connected to the health and wellbeing of people.
• Waitī is associated with all fresh water bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.
• Waitā is associated with the ocean, and food sources within it.
• Waipuna-ā-rangi is associated with the rain.
• Tupuānuku is the star associated with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food.
• Tupuārangi is associated with everything that grows up in the trees: fruits, berries, and birds.
• Ururangi is the star associated with the winds.
• Pōhutukawa is the star associated with those that have passed on.
• Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the star associated with granting our wishes, and realising our aspirations for the coming year.

You might enjoy learning how to find Matariki in the sky? Try this Te Papa video to help guide you. https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/matariki-maori-new-year/watch-how-find-matariki-star-cluster.

You can order a Hangi meal to enjoy at our Matariki festival - right now! Only $10 for either a Vegetarian or Meat hangi. One plate serves one adult or two children.

Dessert options ($5) are Hangi Sticky Caramel Sauce Steamed Pudding, or Kamo Kamo Chocolate Brownie! Yum.

The evening will begin at 4pm and has the following format:

4pm: Matariki Market, crafts, snacks and drinks for sale (a Kapahaka uniform fundraiser). Classrooms open for viewing.
5pm: Powhiri, Kapahaka
5:45: Hiwa i te Rangi - Talent Show
6:00 Hangi lifted
6:30 Dinner and Dessert
7:30 Closing ceremony
7:45 End of the evening

We hope to see you and your whānau there!

Order your hangi and dessert at kindo.co.nz OR see Heidi in Māhoe to order and pay with cash. 

Orders close - 6th June!