Schools, kura getting fresh resources to teach Matariki

New Matariki learning resources are being sent to schools and kura to help teachers educate students on its significance ahead of its inaugural public holiday on June 24.

More than 50 curriculum resources, ranging from activity cards, journals, and books, through to waiata, video and posters are included, using themes of honouring the past, present and future, placing emphasis on how ākonga (students) fit into the natural world and their environmental responsibilities.

The resources were developed by Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga (the Ministry of Education) in collaboration with Dr Rangi Mātāmua and the Matariki Advisory Group. Mātāmua, a Māori astronomy expert, won the prestigious prime minister’s science communicator award for his work in raising awareness about Matariki in 2020.

Matariki lesson planning was already under way at Wellington’s Berhampore School, where principal Mark Potter enthusiastically awaited delivery of the new classroom resources.

‘‘[Students] need to have as broad an understanding as they can about what Matariki is – it’s more than just a day – and its significance in the context of New Zealand,’’ Potter said.

‘‘Interestingly, Matariki is also experienced differently around the country, depending on where you are,

and so those resources will help make things more applicable to their area of Aotearoa.’’

Matariki is the Māori name used to describe the entire star cluster known as Pleiades. Before sunrise during the New Zealand winter, the cluster is visible as a faint sparkle of tiny dots when you look towards the northeast horizon.

Its appearance marks the end of one year and the beginning of another, the Māori new year.

Associate Education Minister (Māori) Kelvin Davis hoped the new education resources would help bring Mātauranga Māori to life, while ensuring kaiako (teachers) weren’t left to navigate the teaching of Matariki alone.

‘‘It is important to give our ākonga, kaiako, and whānau a range of opportunities to learn and personalise their Matariki learning experience . . . these resources will directly impact the identity, language and culture of our ākonga,’’ Davis said.

Berhampore School was considering holding a hāngi as part of its Matariki celebrations, enabling students to prepare kai and enjoy being a part of a community, Potter said.