Matariki - A Celebration of The Māori New Year

Will you be joining us at our Matariki Celebration? Please indicate on the form attached. There's also the option to offer your much needed help with organising!
Google form for sign up

What is Matariki?

Matariki is the Māori name of the cluster of stars also known as Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year. Whānau across New Zealand understand and celebrate Matariki in different ways and at different times. This is the first year Aotearoa is celebrating Matariki with a National holiday on June 24th with festivities in the city. Here is the Matariki logo you might see around the city and this year’s principles from the Ministry of Education.

At Seatoun School, we celebrate Matariki by learning about the star cluster, reading Matariki stories, creating artworks, singing waiata, showing manaakitanga (kindnesses) and meeting up to celebrate together.

Event: Matariki Celebration

Date: Thursday 16th June

Time: 6-7pm in the school courtyard (look for the fairy lights!)

Highlights Include

• Meet with your friends at the Star Walk locations and follow a star to school from 5.40pm* (see poster for locations)
• Bring a mug for Milo and cookie, warm clothes and a torch for the star walk
• Sing waiata together

Matariki and Our Community

As part of Matariki we will also be supporting The Wellington City Mission’s Paper Bag Collection.This is to support the ongoing running of The Wellington City Mission’s Foodbank and Drop-In-Centre.

Every day, many Wellingtonians in need are given food parcels through the Foodbank service. This can be a huge relief to a struggling family, easing their financial burden and helping them to focus on paying bills and other expenses. Last year the Mission provided over 3,000 food parcels from their Foodbank and over 26,000 meals in the Drop-in Centre.

Below is a list of everyday items that they are in dire need of. Have a look in your pantry, or next time you’re shopping please give a thought to the list below. Please share this initiative with your kids. Maybe ask them what they would like to choose from the list. Collection bins will be beside the office until the end of the term.

• Baking goods
• Pet food
• Baby formula
• Coffee
• Big Eats Cans
• Soups
• Razors
• Large size nappies
• Oil

The City Mission will tally up how many meal servings we have been able to provide with our donations or the number of food parcels we have given and present Seatoun School with a framed certificate to thank us. This is also something our kids can feel really proud of!

Hope you can make the night!

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou,
Kirikiri Tatangi (Seatoun School)