Posted in General Matariki Celebrations!

Date: 23 June 2022

OHS celebrated Matariki with activities organised by Whaea Phinia Evans, Whaea Ariia Tainui and the Whanau class.Matariki is a star cluster about four hundred and forty four light years away. It reappears in the night sky in mid July and signals the beginning of the Maori New Year. While Matariki may be different for different iwi, many speak of a cluster of 7 Matariki stars which are visible to the naked eye, as a mother and her daughters. The mother is Matariki and her daughters are Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, Waipuna Rangi, Waitī, Waitā, and Ururangi. There are 2 more not so easily visible, Pohutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, they are a reminder to farewell the dead, remember ancestors and all those who have gone before us. The Whanau class spent the night in the marae so that they could be up at 5am this morning to find the Matariki cluster with the help of Mr Laird, who lent his expertise so that we could learn where to look in the night sky. 

Matariki is all about spending time with friends and family, sharing a feast, celebrating new life, making plans for the year ahead, remembering ancestors and farewelling those who have passed. The whanau class did a fantastic job making vast amounts of ‘boil up’ to share with all students and staff. It was given the thumbs up by everyone, who particularly appreciated it, on such a cold day.

We hope that you enjoy your Matarki celebrations!