Matariki, the last day of the term

This term in my class we have learnt a lot about Matariki. We had lots of different types of tasks. One of these was to make a doc with what you know and what you learnt about Matariki. This is mine!

What I know about Matariki

• Matariki is the symbol of the Maori new year.

• There are seven sister stars that celebrate Matariki.

• Matariki wasn’t celebrated much 10 years ago.

• It was a symbol for the Maori people to start harvesting their crops.

• Matariki is only celebrated in New Zealand.

What I learned about Matariki

• All the stories about Matariki are similar about what the stars mean but how the Maori celebrate it is different.

• Matariki is connected to the people and their well-being and is the guardian of the other 8 stars.

• Waiti is connected to all of the fish in rivers and lakes.

• Waita is connected to all the food we get from our oceans. 

• Tupu-a-nuku is connected to all the food that grows in the ground.

• Tupuarangi is connected to all that grows in our trees such as fruit and berries.

• Waipun-a-rangi is connected to the rain and seasons.

• Ururangi is connected to the winds. 

• Pohutukawa is connected to all our friends and family who have passed away. 

• Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the wishing star which the Maori gave their wishes to.

• Matariki symbolises the start of the Maori hunting season and is a sign for farmers to harvest their crops. It is also a sign of the Maori new year.

Today is the last day of the term and I'm really excited because we are having a shared lunch! I bought lolly cake and there are lots of other yummy food. I can't wait!

From Noah at New Windsor school!