On 8 July, our centre came together to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year. Matariki is a special time that encourages us to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. It is also a time for whānau, friends, and communities to come together, share stories, and strengthen relationships.
Our Matariki celebration was filled with many meaningful and enjoyable activities for children and their families. Throughout the day, children participated in flax weaving, where they explored traditional Māori practices while developing their fine motor skills and creativity. They also enjoyed making poi, helping them learn about Māori culture through hands-on experiences.
One of the highlights of the day was preparing Matariki soup. In the morning, parents joined us to help peel and prepare the vegetables. This created a wonderful opportunity for children to observe, participate, and learn alongside their families. It also encouraged teamwork and promoted a sense of belonging within our centre community.
Later in the day, families joined us again to participate in different activities and watch the children’s performance. The children were excited to share what they had learned and proudly took part in the celebration. Their enthusiasm and confidence brought joy to everyone who attended.
Our Matariki celebration reflected the values of togetherness, sharing, and whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships). It was wonderful to see children, teachers, and whānau learning and celebrating together.
Overall, it was a successful and memorable day. We would like to thank all the parents and whānau who took the time to participate in and support our celebration. Their involvement helped make the day even more meaningful for our children and created lasting memories for everyone.