Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a special time to come together, reflect, and celebrate new beginnings.
At our centre, even our youngest tamariki (children) joined in the celebrations with joy and creativity.
The infants explored the magic of Matariki through engaging art and craft experiences. They created beautiful star-themed artworks using collage materials and had a wonderful rich sensory experience pasting sand onto star shapes. Through this hands-on process, the children developed their fine motor skills and deepened their understanding of the significance of the Matariki stars in a fun and meaningful way.
To make the celebration even more meaningful, we invited our whānau (families) to a special evening event. It was a heartwarming night filled with laughter, music, and connection. Our children, alongside their kaiako (teachers), sang “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” in both English and te reo Māori, delighting everyone with their sweet voices and growing confidence. Paki paki 👏🏻 ⭐️
The sense of community was strong as families brought kai (food) to share, creating a beautiful potluck dinner that brought us all closer. This evening reminded us of the importance of whānau, culture, and unity—values that lie at the heart of Matariki.
Thank you to all the parents who joined us in celebrating this special occasion. Mānawatia a Matariki! ⭐️