Are you looking for Matariki Celebration Ideas?
Here are some Matariki celebration ideas to do with tamariki and whanau.
Matariki is more than a public holiday – to celebrate Matariki as a season brings richness, festivity and connection to this winter time.
From studying the sky before Matariki sets beyond the horizon, to beyond the official holiday, there are many special ways we can celebrate.
Why not choose an activity from each section of this list?
Matariki celebration ideas:
MAKE
- Make Matariki paper lanterns – learn how to make Matariki lanterns.
- Make glass lanterns for candles
- Make paper kites to fly – check out this simple Matariki kite resource.
- Make harakeke stars: woven whetu from paper or harakeke / NZ flax – learn how to make harakeke stars here!
- Tape paper over torches with holes in the formation of the star cluster able to shine through
- Roll beeswax candles – check out these candle making instructions.
- Make a remembrance wreath, or whetu from sticks or prunings
- A traditional kite out of raupo and toetoe
Learn to weave a harakeke star for Matariki
PLAY / TOGETHER
- Get up early to watch Matariki rise, perhaps go to the beach, and special breakfast
- Fly kites outside
- Light sparklers
- Lantern walk in the dark
- Campfire under the stars with sausages and damper bread and marshmallows cooked on a stick
- Play string games
- Make poi
- Play music together or dance – here are some waiata you can sing along to or learn
- Join in local community events
- Spend time with elders
- Wrap up warm and walk under the starry sky
LEARN
- Learn how to find Matariki in the night sky, and what time of night to find it. When does Matariki disappear from our view? When does it reappear?
– this illustrated printable will help you to find Matariki. - Learn about star in the Matariki cluster, perhaps one star per week leading up to Matariki
- What is the difference between Puanga and Matariki?
- Learn when to celebrate according to maramataka and the moon phase
- Read Matariki books
- Watch Matariki and Maori legend videos on YouTube
- Print out Matariki resource activities – check out this awesome list of Matariki resources here
- Learn some new te reo Maori kupu / words
- Practice a karakia to begin your day
- Visit a local observatory and learn about the night sky
- Connect with your local marae and learn about stories from your rohe / district
- Learn about the Maori calendar, the maramataka and how this is different from the common calendar – this calendar is the perfect introduction to marakataka for kids
- Spend time in nature, in the forest or beach, learning about native plants and their traditional uses
This calendar is the perfect introduction to marakataka for kids, ece’s and schools.
KAI
- Enjoy a community hangi
- Make fry bread or damper – learn how to make fry bread here
- Have a Matariki feast with whanau or friends
- Learn a karakia kai / meal blessing
- Make star cookies
- Make vegetable soup together, each bringing a vegetable ‘ friendship soup’ or a boil up
GROW
- Plant fruit trees (or move trees that need it)
- Join in a community based planting
- Plant harakeke or other native plants
- Prune grapevines or other trees and use the cuttings to make matariki decorations
- Be involved with conservation initiatives, waterways, forest, ocean
- Plant winter veges and garlic
- Learn how gardening by the moon and the maramataka can guide plant times
- Plan your summer garden, what will you plant? Where? – download this digital garden planner
- Make compost to feed the garden through spring and summer
- Buy vege seeds in preparation for spring – this seed collection is great for kids and schools gardens
Heirloom vege seeds selection perfect for home, school and community gardens.
PLAN / REFLECT
- Give thanks for the year that has passed
- Plan for the next year – garden, study, adventures, personal goals – download this awesome printable planner
- Consider 5 things in your life you are grateful for – even adopt a practice to do this daily – need a gratitude journal? This one is simple and effective
- Spend time in meditation and reflection alone
- Learn about and plan using the maramataka
- Consider the Maori New Year beginning in winter, just as the new year begins in winter in the Northern Hemisphere. How does is feel to celebrate a new year now?
Making your own Matariki Beeswax candles with this kit, can be a beautiful ritual of remembrance.
REMEMBER
- Speak the names of those who have passed
- Look at photographs of passed loved ones
- Speak to your loved ones in your heart
- Write a letter to your loved ones, or in a journal
- Make and light Remembrance Wish Paper – learn how to here.
- Walk outside as the sun is going down, look to the stars and remember
- Rise early and greet Matariki at dawn, speak the names of loved ones, honor and remember
- Visit whanau who may be feeling grief and be together
- Make and light a candle in remembrance of loved ones – making these candles together can be a beautiful ritual of remembrance
- Listen to music that reminds you of special souls who have returned to the stars
- Research or notice what plants are flowering or growing on their birthday, or their passing. Let the plants remind you of them each season
- Send a (biodegradable) Wish Lantern to the stars as you remember loved ones at Matariki
This Matariki Activity Book bundles crafts, kai recipes, waiata, traditional Maori games and more into one! Download and print for your classroom or homeschool.
I hope you have found inspiration in these Matariki celebration ideas.
Wishing you meaningful, memorable Matariki traditions with your tamariki, whanau, school or ece.
Manawatia a Matariki!
New here?
Here are more resources you should know about:
MATARIKI TEACHING RESOURCES – Here are some Matariki teaching resources for schools, teachers and students.
MAORI DAYS OF THE WEEK RESOURCE – This FREE te reo Māori Seasons, Months & Days of the Week printable for teachers that explains further the Maori units of time.
MARAMATAKA RESOURCE FOR SCHOOLS (+ discount) – Teach tamariki about te reo Maori calendar, the maramataka, with this Maramataka calendar for kids. Use the code: ‘ WINTER2024 ‘ to get it for $26!
MAORI DAYS / MONTHS / SEASONS FLASHCARD RESOURCE – This flashcard resource can be printed, cut and laminated for daily class use. Comes free with the maramataka calendar for kids.
NATURE HUNTS IN TE REO (+ ENGLISH) – Seasonal nature hunts for NZ primary kids, ECE, outside learning, forest school. Learn te reo kupu (words) as you hunt.
Make sure you check out these Matariki teaching resources, download your FREE te reo Māori Seasons teacher resource.
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