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Matariki Whanau Celebration
BestStart Manukau had the pleasure to celebrate Matariki with our tamariki and whanau.
On the night of Matariki, celebration our Whanau were welcomed with a magical display of fairy lights which represented the twinkling stars in the dark night sky through the hallway. Children's beautiful Matariki artwork were displayed along the walls of BestStart Manukau hallway and the echo of children's beautiful waiata made their parents/ whanau feel all the more welcome. Just as everyone arrived and got comfortable, our tamariki started the evening with the National Anthem. The 'Waiti, Waita' waiata came next followed by 'whaka aue'. It was amazing to see our tamariki perform using rakau sticks, poi and taiaha! After the last performance, our whanau got a bit of a demonstration from Kira and some of our lovely performers of how these tools are used during Kapa Haka.
Once the performances were over, everyone enjoyed some korero over kai and moved around to the different stations where they participated in getting a moko done, photos taken with Maori cultural props, weaving/ painting panels, writing their wishes/ aspirations for their child to go on the centre korowai.
Through the above experiences our tamariki learnt the Tikanga Maori values of Manakitanga and tuakana teina where they worked together as a team and helped each other to learn. Our tamariki demonstrated oneness/ kotahitanga as they came together and performed.
Our whanau helped us to achieve the value of whakawhanaungatanga as they came together and enjoyed the program and had some kai and korero with us.
A very big thank you to Kira for mohiotanga which is sharing of information and for helping us to better understand the Maori culture and traditions.
Here at BestStart Manukau, we are truly blessed to have such a wonderful team of teachers, whanau and of course our gorgeous tamariki.