Children and Families - Scripture Union NZ

Matariki is now officially celebrated as a public holiday in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The dates shift every year, depending on the rising of the Matariki cluster of stars. Māori New Year is celebrated when Matariki appears again in the sky. Matariki is a cluster of stars that is also known as the Pleiades and can be seen from late May or early June. There is much to understand and experience about Matariki. We suggest that you spend time learning and talking with tangata whenua as part of the process. Be sensitive to the complexity of some of the discussions, what children are learning at school, and the humility needed in this conversation. Please contact us to talk further about this. Here are some good places to start that journey: - Te Papa : a range of educational resources, including this free downloadable activity book. - Here's how to find Matariki in the sky! Youtube clip. - Learning about the stars from the Auckland Stardome . '...Nāna nei i hanga a Aketura, a Tautoru,

This is a beautiful Matariki waiata! Talk with your children about waiata they know, as they will be learning them at school. Invite your children to teach you these songs and sing them together.