On 7 July, Beststart Waikanae came alive with the spirit of Matariki as we welcomed tamariki, whānau, and friends to our Matariki Whānau Night.
It was wonderful to see such a great turnout from our community, coming together to celebrate this special occasion of reflection, connection, and hope for the future.
The evening began with a warm welcome speech delivered by one of our tamariki, followed by a series of beautiful performances. Our children proudly sang and danced to waiata including the Matariki Song, Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi, and Ngā Whetū o Matariki. Their confidence, enthusiasm, and joy shone through as whānau watched on with pride and admiration.
One of the highlights of the evening was a surprise video for our whānau, featuring our tamariki sharing their aspirations and dreams for the future. It was a touching and meaningful moment that brought smiles, laughter, and even a few tears as families listened to their children's hopes and ambitions. Following this, we shared a Matariki story that introduced the theme of our activities, centred around the nine stars of Matariki and their significance.
This helped create a deeper understanding of the values of remembrance, reflection, gratitude, and looking ahead to the future. Whānau and tamariki then enjoyed immersing themselves in a variety of engaging activities inspired by the nine stars of Matariki. Families spent time together fishing, planting, making bird feeders, creating wind streamers and rain clouds, and reflecting on both the past and the future. Whānau were invited to write down aspirations for their children, while also taking time to remember loved ones and significant memories, and share their hopes and dreams for the years ahead.
It was heartwarming to see families fully engaged in these meaningful experiences, creating memories together while exploring the rich traditions and values associated with Matariki. Adding to the special atmosphere of the evening, one of our tamariki's matua treated us to live music, performing waiata and some of the children's favourite songs. Her music brought everyone together, filling the centre with singing, smiles, and a strong sense of community.
The evening concluded with a shared kai, where tamariki, whānau, and kaiako gathered to enjoy good food and great company. This was a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections, share stories, laughter, and aspirations, and celebrate the wonderful relationships that make our centre community so special. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the whānau who joined us and helped make our Matariki Whānau Night such a memorable and meaningful event.
Together, we celebrated the past, cherished the present, and looked forward to the future, embracing the true spirit of Matariki.