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A Matariki Story
For Matariki, the Maori New Year, the tamariki learned some waiata and a haka. We used these as part of our retelling of the Purakau/story of how Maui captured Tama-nui-te-ra the sun, and the Star Matariki and her children sang to Tama-nui-Te-ra to make him come back. The tamariki learned to sing Tirama Tirama Matariki (Twinkle Twinkle Matariki), and the haka Tamanui-Te-ra which is a haka about the sun and how he was captured by Maui.
Through these experiences the tamariki are learning the stories of their own and others cultures (mana reo/communication), and developing a sense of belonging/mana whenua as we make connections between kindy and our whanau and kainga/home. We will extend their knowledge and learning around this further as we continue to learn and practice waiata for Polyfest. We have so many languages and cultures in our centre and we try to incorporate these through our wall displays, by using greetings, words and phrases with the children and through celebrating events from other countries/cultures. We are demonstrating Manaakitanga (Tataiako) as we incorporate Maori Myths and Legends, Waiata and Haka into our learning. We are celebrating Matariki the Maori New Year which relates to Tangata Whenuatanga (Tataiako) as we find engaging ways to be culturally responsive to our Ako Maori.