Matariki is a very special time for our whānau to come together at BestStart Naenae. Each Māori New Year, we take time to reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the year ahead.
Each year, participation in our celebration continues to grow, so much so that we needed a bigger venue this year. Our neighbours at Rata Street School kindly allowed us to use their hall, and it was the perfect space to bring everyone together. Our whānau each brought kai to share, creating a wonderful sense of community and connection.
One of our talented kaiako kept everyone entertained with a fun and interactive Matariki quiz, which was enjoyed by tamariki and adults alike.
Our tamariki also put on a fantastic performance for our whānau. The older children had recently performed at the local Hutt Fest and were excited to share their performance once again. They did so with incredible confidence, and it was wonderful to see some of our younger tamariki and their siblings join in as well.
We also created a remembrance table where whānau could honour loved ones who are no longer with us, alongside a wishing table where everyone could set their intentions and hopes for the year ahead. These meaningful spaces encouraged reflection and celebrated the values at the heart of Matariki.
It was a truly memorable evening, made even more special by being surrounded by our extended BestStart whānau. We look forward to continuing this treasured tradition for many years to come.