Matariki Festival

Matariki - what it means to us

Kia ora e te whānau,
As the days become colder and the nights grow longer, plans are underway to celebrate The Māori New Year with a Matariki Festival involving the whole school community.

Matariki dates this year are:
10-13 July with the Matariki Public Holiday falling on 14 July 2023

In bygone days, Tākata Māori observed the rising of the lone star Puaka or the Matariki cluster of stars as the beginning of the New Year: the harvest season had ended and winter days were best spent indoors. This alignment of either celestial body is ancient and occurs all around Moana-ā-kiwa, the Pacific.

Remembering our event in 2022

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki

Wow! What an evening.
Thank you all so much for taking part in this fabulous festival.
We shared moments of contemplation and silence, moments of sheer joy, and moments of musical and creative inspiration.
It was an event to remember and one that demonstrated just what potential we have to re-unite and stand as a single, undivided community.
When we keep our tamariki at the centre of all our actions, thinking, and wishes, we can't go wrong.

There are thank yous too numerous to mention here but without a doubt, the stars of the evening were your marvellous, irrepressible and talented children and teenagers.
Thank you for supporting our kura.
Thank you for remaining steadfast, even when things are tricky.
Thank you for knowing what makes the greatest difference.

Ngā mihi o Te Mātahi o te Tau ki a koutou katoa nā, Caroline