Manawatia a Matariki – 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘪

 This Friday marks an important milestone as our nation prepares to celebrate Matariki as our first public holiday that recognises te ao Māori.
This week our students will be learning more about Matariki, so….

 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶?

Matariki takes its name from the Māori name for a cluster stars. The cluster is also known in other parts of the world as the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, Makli’i or Subaru.
Matariki is an abbreviation of ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea’ (‘The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea’). Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother were separated by their offspring, one of their sons, god of the winds Tāwhirimātea, became angry, tearing out his eyes and hurling them into the heavens.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱?

When the Matariki star cluster becomes visible to New Zealand in mid-winter, it marks the start of the Māori Lunar Calendar. Celebrating the start of the Māori New Year is what makes up the Matariki celebrations and it’s an important time in Te Ao Māori (Māori world view).

There are three specific values that are central to Matariki:
• Remember the past – it’s a time to honour the people we have lost.
• Celebrate the present – it’s a time to appreciate what we have.
• Look to the future – it’s a time to consider what the future holds.

 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱?

Every iwi marks Matariki differently, although everything is underpinned by the three principles of remembrance, celebration and looking to the future. Generally it’s a time to get together with loved ones, whether that’s sharing kai, telling stories of whānau who have passed away, or having a Dad’s and Daughters breakfast at Vogeltown School!

 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿?

Matariki follows a lunar calendar system which is different to our modern solar calendar, so the Matariki dates change each year, just like Easter.

 Vogeltown Values – ‘IROCK’ – Inclusive, Respectful, Original, Courageous, Kind