1. MATARIKI
I have chosen Matariki as my assignment topic. I have chosen to subject my assignment around this topic because it is a Maori celebration, which has been regained in recent years. Due to this, I think it is important for children to grasp an understanding of Matariki as it becomes more evident in New Zealand’s society today. Matariki is a very relatable topic for students, as they may have already lost someone close to them, or will experience this sometime in their lives. Matariki is a time for students to celebrate the lives of those they have lost, with a celebration of dancing, food and singing which is an enjoyable occasion. It marks the Maori New Year, which I believe to be an interesting topic for children to learn about.

2. What is Matariki?
Cluster of 500 stars, with only 7 being bright enough to see with the naked eye.
Known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters in other cultures.
Commemorates the Maori New Year.
Celebration of those who have passed in the past year.
Navigation
Matariki, translating into ‘tiny eyes’ and ‘eyes of god’ (Maori Language Commission) is a cluster of 500 stars, where only 7 are visible to the naked eye in Aotearoa. The stars rise “during the cold months of winter, usually between the start of May and the beginning of June. Its rising signals the beginning of the Maori New Year.” (Te Papa Education Team, 2014, p.6). It is also the sighting of the new moon. “For Māori, this time signified remembrance, fertility and celebration.” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.2). The celebration of life was a remembrance of those who have passed away in the past year. Families star gaze together, and share stories about the previous year. “Some said the stars housed the souls of those departed.” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.2). This celebration of those who have passed is still continued with Matariki today. The star cluster disappears again in April.
It is also a time for dance, song and food. In ancient times, Matariki were used to help navigate ancestors across the pacific ocean to New Zealand. It was also commonly used to help with knowing the correct times of year to harvest plants in order to preserve them for the following months. When Matariki arrived, it was time to plant the new crops and harvest the current. “Maori astronomers used Matariki to identify if the weather would be good or bad for the coming seasons.” (Te Papa Education Team, 2014, p.6). If the Matariki stars were bright, it would be a warm year. If they were dull or blurry, it meant that it would be a cold year, and therefore not such a good year for crops and harvesting.
“Some iwi would lay down a small hangi to acknowledge the arrival of Matariki.” (Te Papa Education Team, 2014, p.6). It was seen that if food cooked well in the hangi, it would be a good year in terms of weather. “All Iwi (Maori Tribes) celebrate Matariki, although they may celebrate at different times. For some tribes celebrations are held when Matariki is first seen in the dawn sky, for others it is celebrated after the full moon rises, and for others the dawn of the next new moon.” (Tai Tokerau Tourism, 2009).
Matariki celebrations stopped in the 1940’s, however restarted again in As time is passing, more people are participation in this celebration. “Matariki has been revived as a celebration of people, culture, language, spirituality, and history. It is a time for whānau (family) and friends to come together to reflect on the past 12 months and look towards the year ahead.” (Te Papa Museum, 2014).
In other cultures, Matariki is often known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.

3. How is it celebrated? Planting of crops and plants Dance Song
Festivals
Hangi
Story telling
Art
Carving and weaving
Passing of knowledge and history
Matariki is celebrated in many ways, all which have immense value to individuals. Planting of crops and plants symbolises new beginnings, which is what a new year brings. By looking at the brightness of the stars, we are able to see if it will be a good or bad year for these crops. Dance and song are used to celebrate many occasions in many cultures, including Matariki here in New Zealand. These are used to tell stories, and convey messages about the past and the future. They are also used to “celebrate the change of season and new beginnings.” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.2). Matariki festivals were stopped in the 1940’s, however have become increasingly popular since restarted In Within three years, there were 10,000 more people attending the only New Zealand Matariki festival than previously. “Te Rangi Huata believes that Matariki is becoming more popular because it celebrates Māori culture and in doing so brings together all New Zealanders: ‘It’s becoming a little like Thanksgiving or Halloween, except it’s a celebration of the Maori culture here in (Aotearoa) New Zealand. It’s New Zealand's Thanksgiving.’” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.3). Hangi is a way that people would gather and celebrate together, whilst sharing stories about those who have passed away, and future aspirations and desires. If the hangi cooks well, it is said that it will be a good year in terms of weather and crops. The passing of knowledge and history takes place in this story telling, which continues to be passed down throughout generations. Art is used in a variety of ways to celebrate Matariki. Street performances, special play performances, exhibitions of art and crafts, musical performances, classes on how to weave and carve, and television shows on Matariki are ways in which art is used to celebrate this occasion. These are great ways for children to get involved in Matariki, as these are hands on, fun and creative ways in which they can participate in ways that they can understand and enjoy. These activities will help heighten children's understanding of Matariki as they are heavily partaking and contributing, and therefore will learn as they participate in these fun ways of celebrating Matariki.

4. Purakau Similar to myths – traditional story.
Better spoken orally – not conveyed well when written.
Te Reo Maori perspective.
Could be considered unbelievable.
Mother and 6 daughters.
Seven sisters
Ranginui and Papatuanuku being separated by their offspring.
Purakau are similar to myths, as they are a traditional story passed down through generations. They are better spoken aurally, as they are not conveyed as well when written. Purakau are written in the Te Reo Maori perspective, and could be considered unbelievable as they “generally are not trivial stories but rather contain such things as the creation of the world, the creation of the human being, the deeds of the gods, illustrious ancestors and more.” (Mauriora ki te au).
“Purakau presents us with an appropriate metaphor and a conceptual framework of representation for the experiences that will be recounted and the stories that are to be told.” (Lee, 2003, p.32). They provide us with an explanation of how things came to be, as they are linked to Atua and creation. Matariki talks about the creation of the stars, therefore proving to be purakau. Purakau are described in relation to trees, as they start at the roots and makes their way through to the leaves. “Our understandings of purakau in relation to the trees, show the importance of 'stories' in Maori culture, it signals the way in which story telling was viewed as central in the connecting, nurturing, sustaining and flourishing of our people.” (Lee, 2003, p.32).
There are several Purakau based on Matariki. One account states that the seven bright stars represent a mother and her six daughters – “Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipuna-ā-rangi and Ururangi.” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.1). Matariki and her daughters are there to support the sun, ‘Te Ra’, because his winter journey from the north has left him weak. (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.1). They are also commonly known as the seven sisters. This is why matariki is evident in May/June. In teaching, we could use this purakau when teaching health. We could relate this to helping others when they are down or tired, and what we could do to assist them in this time.
“Some say that when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother were separated by their offspring, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became angry, tearing out his eyes and hurling them into the heavens.” (New Zealand Government, 2014). This is another Purakau of how Matariki came to be. This purakau also relates to health. Students can talk about safe ways to manage their anger, and how to help others when they are angry.

5. Whakapapa Genealogy – Link between ancestors.
Where you are from – locates/connects you to ancestors and those to come.
Interconnectivity between people, nature and the woven universe. (Paki, 2007, p.16).
Sharing stories of ancestry
Time for whanau to come together
Remember whakapapa to keep family together
Star gazing
“Whakapapa is genealogy, a line of descent from ancestors down to the present day.” (New Zealand Government, 2013). It is where we have come from, a link between ancestors. Whakapapa is about where you have come from. It connects you to your families past, present and future relatives and places.
“Matariki is a time for whānau, to remember those who came before us and the legacy they have left behind, and also to learn more about whakapapa (geneaology).” (The Maori Language Commission, 2010, p.5). Families and communities come together at matariki to honour and grieve for those who have passed away. At this time, stories are shared about these people, their families and where they have come from. This story telling passes stories through generations, allowing people to learn about their ancestors, heritage and where they have come from. It is important to remember this whakapapa as it keeps the family together, and passes on family history to the younger generations. Families star gaze together, looking to matariki, at this time to remember those they have lost. “Matariki was, and still is, a time to foster unity and the importance of family.” (The Maori Language Commission, 2010, p.6) Through whakapapa, we are able to discuss where we come from, who we come from and find any other family links that we may not know about.

6. Whakatauki Hauhake tū, ka tō Matariki
Lifting of the crops begins when Pleiades set.
Matariki tāpuapua
The Pleiades season when water lies in pools.
Ka rere a Matariki, ka wera te hinu
When the Pleiades rise the fat is heated.
“Whakatauki is usually translated to (for example in Williams' Dictionary of the Maori Language) as 'saying, proverb or aphorism‘”. (Metje, 1995,p.3). Whakatauki can be used to enhance students learning as they are sayings that imply a general truth. These are traditional whakatauki related to matariki, which can be used to heighten children’s understanding of the Maori New Year.
The first whakatauki, ‘Hauhake tū, ka tō Matariki’, translating into ‘Lifting of the crops begins when Pleiades set’ talks about the harvesting of crops taking place when matariki arrives, which is late May/early June.
The second, ‘Matariki tāpuapua’ which translates to ‘The Pleiades season when water lies in pools’ is about the heavy rain which occurs in winter.
“Whakatauki also draw inspiration from the birds and fish of the New Zealand habitat.” (Metje, 1995, p.4). The third whakatauki, ‘Ka rere a Matariki, ka wera te hinu’, translating into ‘When the Pleiades rise the fat is heated’ is about heating the fat so the birds can be preserved when Matariki rises.
These whakatauki explain things that occur during Matariki, which can be used to heighten their understanding of the topic.
(The Maori Language Commission, 2010, p.15)

7. Kaitiakitanga Guardianship Protection Preservation
Matariki as Kaitiaki for people
People as Kaitiaki of Matariki
“Kaitiakitanga means guardianship, protection, preservation or sheltering. It is a way of managing the environment, based on the traditional Māori world view.” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.1) It relates to looking after land, environments and also objects. Many people and species are responsible for the protection of different things, ranging from ourselves, to the Atua (God), to a variety of animals. Kaitiakitanga “applies to traditional Maori ‘guardianship’ over such resources as native forests and kaimoana.” (Marsden, 2003, p.54). These guardians are known as ‘Kaitiaki’. (Te Papa Museum, 2014).
For Matariki, we as people are the Katitiaki. It is our job to keep up the tradition and celebration of this event, celebrating the Maori New Year and commemorating the lives of those we have lost. We are able to do this in many ways. Matariki is the perfect time for us to come together with our families and share stories and past times about those that have come before us. By doing this, we are paying tribute to these special people and keeping their actions and achievements alive. Families also talk plans for the future, which is a great time to talk about and celebrate goals, dreams and aspirations.
We are able to protect and preserve Matariki through continuing to celebrate this occasion. Having a hangi with family is a great way to participate in this event, as it is a tradition from many years ago at the time of Matariki to decipher how good the year will be. By doing this, we are able to continue the ways that it has been celebrated in the past. The hangi gives the stars strength, as “the scent of the food would rise and strengthen the stars, for they were weak and cold.” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.2). This enables us to keep the stars (those who have passed) wellbeing, care and power. Although Matariki celebrations came to a holt for 60 years, they are now on the increase again. It is important that we preserve this tradition in order to keep its values and events going, or they will end as they did in Planting new trees and crops is another way to preserve this occasion, as they signal new beginnings which is what a new year brings.
Matariki also work as Kaitiaki for people. When we are in need, we look to the stars for help. The stars are used to guide us, not only as navigators but also in times of hardship for ourselves. As shown in the Waiata, the stars help us to be strong and persevere. This advice protects us, and encourages us to carry on when times are tough.
Through Kaitiakitanga, children will learn the importance of respecting and preserving their heritage and ancestors. The stories they hear will teach them where they have come from, and all their ancestors have done before them. This gives students new role models and people to look up to, as they will learn where they have come from and the accomplishments and sacrifices their families and close ones have made.

8. Tikanaga (customs) Planting Harvesting Dance/song Remembrance Kites
“Tikanga can be described as general behaviour guidelines for daily life and interaction in Māori culture.” (Korero Maori). It is the customs and traditions that Maori partake in, which have been handed down through generations. Tikanga vary between different iwi (tribes), however they all have similar values.
Matariki determined the timing for planting crops. If the stars were shining bright, it signalled a productive season ahead for crops and they would begin planting. If the matariki stars were dull, it signalled a cold winter and as a result, crop planting would be delayed.
“Matariki happened at the end of harvesting, when food stores were plentiful.” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.2). This harvesting at the beginning of matariki allowed a lot of food to be available, as matariki is a time or festivities including food, dance and song.
Matariki is a time of remembrance. It is a time to grieve those who have passed away in the last year, and to celebrate their lives and accomplishments. This remembrance is traditionally done by preparing a hangi, waiting up for the stars and telling them the names of those they are grieving for who have passed away since the stars set in the previous year. They would then uncover the hangi and let the smell rise to strengthen the matariki stars.
“The revival of Matariki has also played a part in the increasing popularity of the traditional Māori kite (pākau).” (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.3). Matariki was commonly welcomed by the flying of kites. Traditionally, kites are to be flown on the first day of matariki. However, more recently, hot air balloons have been used to welcome the new year. Maori kite making has also become more common as a way to celebrate matariki. The reason these are flown is because they are seen to get close to the stars. (New Zealand Government, 2014, p.2).
Tikanga can be used to heighten children’s understanding of te ao maori as it describes the customs, beliefs and values of maori culture. Tikanaga relating to matariki can be used to enhance students learning as it describes the practices which they partake in during this time.

9. Learning opportunities
Dance
Using the waiata provided, create a dance in pairs that relates to the words and meaning of the waiata.
Share with the class.
Together as a class, chose favourite actions and put together a dance for the class to do.
Share this dance at assembly if appropriate.
As dance is an important part of the matariki celebration, the students will create a dance using the waiata provided. This gives children a chance to choreograph their own dance to music, whilst having to include the meaning of the waiata. Dance allows children to move and relate to the key competency of participating and contributing as all students will contribute to the dance and take part.

10. Learning opportunities
English
Have students write about their family.
Include any specific traditions or activities they do together.
Any important family members/role models they look up to.
Have students use the current writing learning strategy in their writing.
Publish stories with pictures, photos and display on wall to share work.
Writing is an important aspect of the New Zealand Curriculum, so I have decided to link matariki to English. Students are to write a story about their family, as matariki is a time for whanau to gather together. Stories will be published so students are able to share their work, and respond to others work.

11. Community links
Have members of the community or family members come and share stories of their past.
Dunedin Matariki festival.
Have a Matariki celebration at school, inviting members of the community to participate.
Puaka Matariki exhibition at Blue Oyster Gallery.
Involving the community in students learning is a great way to get families and the wider community behind students learning. It also works to get the children motivated, as going on trips and having guest speakers encourages students to participate and enjoy themselves.
Having members of the community or students family members come and talk as guest speakers to the class or school to share stories of their past is a great way to convey information to students. As the stories they are passing on are personal to the speaker, the children will be able to see the emotion and reality in the stories, and therefore will feel more connected. Listening to someone new also works well with students, as it is something different to the teacher they work with every day. The stories that people share are exciting, relatable and interesting for the students.
The Dunedin Matariki festival takes place over five weeks, with several events for children to partake in. These range from arts, dance, music, kite flying, lantern parades, story telling etc. These are all inclusive, fun activities for students to partake in to strengthen their knowledge of Matariki. (Puaka Matariki Festival, 2014).
Having a Matariki celebration at school for all members of the community to attend is an excellent way to get students involved and to give them a sense of responsibility. Students will put on dances, songs, show art work etc about the learning they have done on matariki. Students family and local community will appreciate seeing this learning in a fun and motivating way for the students. Members of the community can also participate if they have something they have to share to the celebration. Community will also be involved to help out with food and other things needed for the celebration.
A trip to the Blue Oyster Gallery to view the Puaka Matariki exhibition is a fun way for students to view the Matariki stars. The exhibition portrays the stars using lights in an underground room. “The exhibition is supported by a very good essay by Loulou Callister-Baker documenting the work, its relationships to Matariki and the artists intent.” (Puaka Matariki Dunedin, 2014).

12. ICT learning experiences
Make invitations and posters to the school matariki celebration.
Make a pamphlet about matariki.
Bubbl.us
There are several ways that ICT can be incorporated into this matariki topic. Students can create posters on powerpoint advertising the school matariki celebration to put up around school and in the community to spread the word about the upcoming celebration. They can also create invitations to send to friends and family to invite them to the celebration.
Students can design and create a pamphlet about matariki.
Students can create a bubblemap using Bubbl.us to display all they know about matariki. This could be done before the topic to find out prior knowledge, or at the end of the topic to show what they have learnt.

13. ICT - Waiata Matariki - by Te Whiuwhiu o te hau 2011
Te karanga o te whaea The call of the whaea He kakano kahurangi o nga tupuna Is a seed / treasure from our ancestors He pono, ngā kete a mātauranga That is true knowledge He piki te ora, te ara tika That will ascend giving life to this true path Nga Taongatuku iho It is a treasure passed down from our ancestors Nga Taongatuku iho nga moemoea It is a treasure passed down carrying the aspirations / vision of our ancestors Ko Matariki, ki ngā tamariki o ngawhetu Matariki, instructs her children (the stars) E tu kia mau, kia kaha Stand, to hold and be strong Te wero o te haerenga During the challenges of your life’s journey Te ihi, te wehi, te mana That you face them with passion,  respect and integrity He whakapuaki kia whiti te pō Te Ao Marama x That it may enlighten you moving from darkness to light
This Waiata written by Te Whiuwhiu o te hau is about the visions that our ancestors had for us, and the importance that we keep these visions and aspirations valued and respected. It helps us to see that we will get past challenges in our lives if we persevere, and that we will come out as better people. Matariki encourages her children (the stars) to stand, to hold and to be strong during life's challenges, just as our ancestors (stars) do for us. We can look to Matariki for help and encouragement, and find direction through them. “Matariki may be translated as mata riki – tiny eyes, or as mata Ariki – eyes of God. These eyes are thought to watch over the land and it’s people.” (Christchurch City Library, p.1). These stars are there to help guide and protect us in our times of need. It is important that we pay tribute to our ancestors; respect and celebrate their lives. This Waiata will help heighten children’s understandings and beliefs related to te ao maori as it is about Matariki, and our ancestors watching over and protecting us. Through learning this waiata, children will gain a deeper understanding about the importance of our ancestors in Matariki, as they are the stars watching over us. This is where we look to celebrate their lives, and for guidance when we are facing difficult situations. The Waitata is a valuable learning opportunity for children as it allows students to learn in a fun and interactive way. Having the translation beside the Māori words helps children to understand the main ideas the waiata is portraying. As the waiata is appealing to listen to, students will enjoy singing along and participating in this waiata.
This waiata is a great way to incorporate ICT into this topic, as it is a youtube clip with the lyrics for students to join in.

14. Glossary Matariki – ‘Tiny eyes’ or ‘Eyes of God’ Atua - God
Waiata - Song
Kaitiaki - Guardian
Iwi – Maori Tribe
Whanau - Family
Hangi - earth oven to cook food with steam and heat from heated stones
Kaimoana – Seafood/shellfish
Pakau – Maori Kite

15. References
Bubble.us. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2014, from
Christchurch City Libraries. (n.d.) Matariki Teachers’ Resource. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from
Korero Maori. (n.d.). Tikanga Maori – Protocols Overview. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from
Lee, J. B. J. (2003). Ngā tohutohu: a purākau approach to Māori teacher narratives. In D. Fraser & R. Openshaw (Eds.), Informing our practice (pp. 29‐42). Palmerston North N.Z. : Kanuka Grove Pres.
Maori Dictionary. (2014). Hangi. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from

16. References
Mauriora Ki Te Ao. (n.d.). Purakau. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from
Marsden, M. (2003). Kaitiakitanga: a definitive introduction to the holistic worldview of the Maori. In T. A. C. Royal (Ed.), The woven universe: selected writings of Rev. Māori Marsden (pp. 1‐27).  Otaki, N.Z.: Estate of Rev Māori Marsden. Metge, J. (1995).  He Taonga tuku iho nō ngā  tūpuna. New Zealand studies. 5(2) 3‐7.
New Zealand Government. (2014). Story: Kaitiakitanga – guardianship and conservation. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from
New Zealand Government. (2014). Story: Matariki – Maori New Year. Retrieved September 30, 2014, from
New Zealand Government. (2013). Story: Whakapapa – genealogy. Retrieved September 29, 2014, from

17. References
Puaka Matariki Dunedin. (2014). Te Ao Hurihuri. Retrieved September 29, 2014, from
Puaka Matariki Festival. (2014). Retrieved October 2, 2014, from
Tai Tokerau Tourism. (2009). Tai Tokerau Matariki. Retrieved September 30, 2014, from
Te Papa Education Team. (2014). Matariki Education Resource. Retrieved September 30, 2014, from
Te Whiuwhiu o te hau. (2011). Matariki – Waiata. [Video File]. Retrieved from
The Maori Language Commission. (2010). Matariki. Retrieved September 30, 2014, from
The Maori Language Commission. Matariki – A Growing Tradition. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from