An early learning journey through Matariki whetū

The view from a trip to the Arataki Visitor Centre.

Matariki is so much more than drawing or painting stars and singing songs at Our Kids Early Learning Centre Glen Eden.

For kaiako at Our Kids, creating authentic and engaging learning experiences for tamariki and whānau around connection to te ao Māori and Matariki has led them on a journey of discovery over many years.

Every year, centre whānau gather for kai and a fire to celebrate Matariki.

Centre manager Katerina Longo says first and foremost, Matariki is a time to bring whānau together to celebrate the past year and share the things both kaiako and tamariki have been doing in relation to Matariki whetū (stars), te taiao, atua and pūrākau.

“Every year, our centre whānau comes together for an evening to share kai, stories, have an ahi (fire) and release their aspirations to the atua above. We like to write our goals and aspirations on a piece of paper and place it into the ahi,” she says.

“On this evening of celebrating Matariki, we display pictures, a video and a description of all the things we have done over the past year in relation to Matariki and the whetū.”

Managing director Anita Kumar says over time, they have been learning about the representation of each Matariki whetū and how it connects to them and the world.

“Our blog on our website explains the meaning of each whetū and then we have provided learning opportunities for our tamariki and community that link to each whetū.”

They have since evolved these experiences, by taking their tamariki out to local places in their community that are meaningful, including their local maunga, Arataki Visitor Centre and Waikumete Cemetery.

During Matariki, kaiako and tamariki visited local places of significance, including Waikumete Cemetery.

Visits to these places were planned and connected to the whetū and the local ancestors/whakapapa of the centre community.

“The carving at the Arataki Visitor Centre represents the ancestry of Te Kawerau a Maki, the centre’s local iwi and tangata whenua of the Waitakere Ranges. The ancestors are from the top: Tiriwa, Hape, Hoturoa, Maki, Te Kawerau-a-Maki and Te Au o Te Whenua. It is important for our tamariki to understand the significance of these places,” says Katerina.

They have also, in the past, done a hautapu ceremony that gives thanks back to the atua. This was a beautiful and lengthy process, she says, that the tamariki were involved in from start to finish.

Living and learning in te ao Māori

Over the years, learning experiences have evolved at Our Kids to incorporate tikanga Māori into everyday practice.

Katerina says this year, a few kaiako have been researching different pūrākau in their local community. Kaiako Laura Price has been driving a lot of this.

“The plan is to tell these stories to the tamariki, take tamariki and whānau out for a hīkoi to where these pūrākau took place and connect these pūrākau to the whetū of Matariki,” she says.

Throughout the year, kaiako also use Te Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, to find the different phases of the moon and plan their days, as well as looking at the energy levels.

“We do our planting and harvesting in relation to the phases of Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. We do rituals at Rakaunui (full moon) such as cleansing the centre, sometimes having ahi or a ceremony,” she says.

“During Whiro (new moon), we will do things like have a PJ Day, or promote slow movement, as this is a time to be close with friends and whānau.”

Katerina says Emma Parangi, the previous centre manager, was instrumental in Matariki planning work.

“So much of this was driven by her and I believe that it is important to acknowledge Emma for her work,” she says.

“Although we all worked hard as a collaborative team for the Matariki planning and mahi, Emma was the one who shared her knowledge with us and I feel extremely privileged and grateful for this incredible mātauranga.”

Katerina’s biggest piece of advice for other early learning centres trying to make Matariki a meaningful learning experience is to do the research and learn as much as you can about each star.

“Matariki is so much more than colouring in stars and singing a song. Embed your whole centre and community in something amazing that everyone can learn from, enjoy and feel connected to.”