This programme is for the following year groups: ECE, Year 1-3 and Year 4-6

The Matariki story opens with tamariki participating in a play detailing the separation of Ranginui and Papatuānuku, leading into an introduction to the multiple reasons we celebrate Matariki and how we do it. Matariki brings us to a natural close of the year as the weather gets cold and we head inside with our whānau to reap the fruits of our labour and watch for Matariki’s signals for the year to come. 

Acknowledging Matariki as one of the many star clusters guiding our ancestors to these lands. Next, we embark on an imaginary ocean voyage, visiting each star in the cluster according to where it sits in the constellation, and tuning the keen senses of our ancestors, we create sound memos to describe the domain cared for by each star in the cluster.  

Learning Intentions 

Students will: 

- learn about multiple important reasons why we celebrate the yearly passage of this star cluster across our skies 

- practice recognising the shape of Matariki 

- identify the names and characters of each of the nine stars that make up the cluster 


Please note: minimum 20 students, maximum 30 students per session

This programme is also available in Te Reo Maori.

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Image details: Tasman lake moonrise, Mark Gee, Art of the Night.  © Copyright Mark Gee