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Matariki at Pharazyn Street Kindy

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Matariki, also known as Māori New Year, is a time for celebration, growth and renewal. It’s a chance to get together and share food, tell stories, sing and play music.  

This month we have been doing lots of activities associated with Matariki, such as reading the stories of the Seven sisters of Matariki; We have been learning some waiata with actions, such as Tutira mai nga iwi song  as we are planning to do a performance  for whaanau at Matariki evening with shared kai.   

Kites have always played an important role in Māori culture, particularly during the winter season when they were flown to signify the start of Matariki, the Māori New Year . Therefore we have planned to make a kite together. We have flax (Harakeke) growing in our garden.  We gathered around and sang a karakia before we cut the harakeke and taught children which one to cut first as per custom. Then we prepared the harakeke and made the kite together with all natural materials. We are respecting and learning the Maaori way of doing things.