Posted in General Matariki

Date: 07 July 2020

 

OHS celebrated Matariki during the last week of term with a series of activities organised by  Whaea Phinia Evans, Whaea Ariia Tainui and the Whanau class. There were guest speakers, songs, games, a fantastic performance and kai for staff and students to enjoy throughout the week.

Matariki, a cluster of stars, reappears in the night sky in mid July and signals the beginning of the Maori New Year. As guest speaker Mr Jerry Daniels explained, Matariki is all about spending time with friends and family, celebrating new life, making plans for the year ahead, remembering ancestors and farewelling those who have passed.

Mr Daniels explained that 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.

Traditionally the stars and star clusters like Matariki were used to help navigate waka across the Pacific. Maori would look to the sky, for predictions for the coming year and to determine when to plant crops like Kumara, and whether there would be a good harvest or not.

Matariki is a time to come together to improve skills and to korero. The programme of activities, games, the performance, fun and food organised for the students and staff was a great opportunity to learn about and celebrate Matarirki.

Thank you, to all students and staff involved in making this such an enjoyable learning experience.