Matariki celebrations 2022

 At Bream Bay Kindergarten Matariki holds a special place in our hearts as the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate and draw our community together in authentic and meaningful connection.  

Over the past 8 years we have been thrilled to rejoice in a wide range of experiences that celebrate and honour mātauranga Maori.  This was the first year that the importance of this time was recognized with a public holiday in Aotearoa...yeehaa!      

That this is happening now is just wonderful.

 

Acknowledging Waitā, the star connected to the ocean.  

This year inspiration for our whānau event was taken from our natural surrounding; our beautiful and unique beach environment. The ruggedness and drama of the ocean in winter holding it's own special type of magic to enjoy...how blessed are we to call this space home!

Sweeping vistas...sand between the toes...the taste of salt air on the tongue and wide open spaces to provide an invigorating breath of fresh air.  A sensory feast to delight the senses and revitalize the soul.  Just the ticket after the turbulent year we've experienced following the ups and downs of Covid 19.

Strengthening wellbeing

Conversations between teachers and whānau around the concept of wellbeing became central to our thinking during planning stages for our Matariki event.  Our endeavour; to strengthen wellbeing within our kindergarten community.

We got to thinking, how cool would it be to present tamariki and whānau with handwoven harakeke kono baskets containing all they'd need to enjoy a great winters night down at the beach.  Chicken, salad and buns...just the thing to fill a hungry puku!

We set ourselves a huge task, approximately 50 baskets would be needed to cater to our whānau needs; 1 basket of kai for each family.  We envisaged tamariki enjoying being involved in the weaving process and were not disappointed...tamariki loved weaving!

Throw back photo 7 years ago...even back then Sandy was weaving magic with children in celebration of Matariki.  What we love about this photo are the siblings photographed here...7 years later it's their little brothers turn at kindergarten.  

This is a special shout out to Zoey and Finn, Manaia and Khan.

With kai taken care of and our baskets well underway, our attention turned to thoughts of how we'd keep everybody warm down at the beach in the middle of winter.  

Our solution: create kakahu (cloaks) for tamariki to wear down at the beach.  Glow stars on the back adding the perfect touch! 

 This was another huge undertaking that children loved being involved in.

Using the sewing machine became a popular experience at kindergarten in the 

making of 50 kakahu.

Finn is proud to model his kakahu.  Just look at the detail on the back...stunning!

Tamariki were very keen to wear their kakahu at the beach and they worked a treat for keeping the chilly night time air at bay.

With our basic needs taken care of ie food and warmth, our attention turned to how we might nurture our wairua in alignment with the star Pōhutukawa.

Pōhutukawa…is the star that acknowledges those who have passed on from this life. As with years past, our goal was to pay tribute in remembrance of loved ones lost.  "Pōhutukawa holds tight to our memories of treasured people who have passed on.  She encourages us to take time to remember them, and to acknowledge their impact on our lives" (Kiwi Conservation Club, 2017).

Over the weeks leading up to our Matariki beach night, tamariki spent time thoughtfully reflecting on the special and significant people in their life and created some beautiful art pieces that honoured the aroha and respect they feel for these people.

Aiden “Grandpa Warren. He’s very special to Mom. Everyday we talk about him.”

Cleveland “Nanny. I really miss her. She was my Nanny and a great cooker. I love my Nanny, she was a beautiful girl.”

Jack “Grandad Noel. He’s actually a fantail. When he died I was sad.”

Ocean “My Mum’s grandma and my Mums grandpa. My Mums got photos of them. They love my family.”

Ziggy “My Nanny. I love her so much. Sometimes my Mum misses her.”

At the beach we decided to honour children's work and art pieces with this wonderful beach installation.  

 The words and sentiments that tamariki expressed were very moving and as darkness fell, the illumination of the jars made their art even more stunning. 

 Just quietly, a few parents and grandparents were so moved by children's words, that tears were shed...it was a very moving and lovely experience.  You could feel the wairua of warmth and connection flow through as people engaged with this beautiful art installation.  Tamariki were very keen to share their work with their loved ones.

                   

       

Another part of our Matariki celebrations included the making of kites. Tamariki spent considerable time learning how to join sticks together, add embellishments and tie knots.  It was challenging and fun!

 

 The story in the pukapuka 'The Seven Kites of Matariki' served as inspiration for tamariki to make their own kites.  Tamariki quickly learnt that they needed a strong frame before adding decorative pieces to their work.

Children experimented with a wide range of materials and discovered new techniques of attaching different things.

Designs became more and more complicated as children's imaginations soared.

Working 3 dimensional offered exciting learning for tamariki...challenges were real and the payoffs great when their visions turned to reality.

 

 What a gorgeous display these manu tukutuku made blowing in the sea breeze...ātaahua!

Drifting in the wind

To celebrate the beginning of the New Year

To send messages to people far away

Those living and those who have passed

To seek guidance from above

Connecting the earth and the sky

Every part of our learning journey was carefully thought out, with attention to detail a high priority.  We wanted this to be a time where people could safely gather together, connect  and enjoy each others company.  To help create beautiful picnic spaces we made tables for families to gather around and invited tamariki to create floral centre pieces to add special sparkle and ambience.  Children's artistry really shone through!

When setting up, a local passerby stopped and asked us if a wedding was taking place...we were chuffed by this because it meant that our efforts had hit the mark!  Our goal was to create a magical space for tamariki and whānau and we had achieved just that!

That tamariki had been part of the entire process...epic!!

 

As our celebration would move into night time, the team recognized unique learning opportunities that could be created for our tamariki.  

We wanted to make this night time experience memorable, full of magic and wonder for tamariki, and so we engaged the skills of local fire poi artist Tyler Matheson.  

What a show Tyler put on for our tamariki and community.  The excitement of fire poi came alive through his artistry and skill.  It was both exhilarating and beautiful.

Tamariki were invited to create artwork following our celebrations...

   

"The fire man doing circles was my favourite" said Otis.  

"My favourite part was when he threw the fire poi up and catched it" said Oliver.

There's nothing quite like sitting around a fire on a cold winters night with your hand wrapped round a nice cup of hot chocolate to warm the heart.  This is great however we wanted this moment to represent more...  

Matariki is a time of reflection, a time to set new intentions, a time to come together as a people, cherish all we have and show appreciation for the people in our lives.  It was important for us to convey how special our community is to us and to let them know that we are always here for them.

I kā tonu taku ahi, i runga i tōku whenua

My fire has always been kept alive upon my people’s land

As we said on the night...

This fire is symbolic of the warmth and aroha that we hold for each and everyone of you.  May you carry this knowledge with you, as you journey forward into the coming year.  May the flames that burn brightly tonight serve as a reminder to turn towards each other, to hold a space in your hearts so that together we may thrive with strength, vitality, happiness and wellbeing.

This was such a wonderful Matariki celebration this year.

We are so grateful for the journey we've had and the experiences we've shared.

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this happen.  We'd like to offer a special shout out to the ones who stayed behind to help with the clean up...you know who you are...you are amazing!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Ma te wheturanga o Matariki

E tiki mai, e manaaki mai i a koe,

i a koutou ranei,

no te tau e take mai ana.

May the gentle light of Matariki

guide and inspire you all this year