Matariki is the Māori name for a star constellation that rises up into the sky in mid-winter, signaling the Māori New Year. It is an important event as it is a celebration of people, culture, language, spirituality and history.

At the end of last term, Stanley Bay School held their own celebrations full of cultural activities for all the children. Activities included, creating paper lanterns with Matariki patterns, Koru art and Maori patterns using collage technique. Matariki rock paintings and recreating Moko face paintings.