With the exciting resurgance of Matariki being celebrated, new information is coming our way to help us better prepare and observe Te tau hou Māori-the Māori new year. One of the major new things to (re)learn has been the revelation that there are actually 9 whetū (stars)-not seven, in the constellation of Matariki.

Each of te iwa o Matariki-the stars of Matariki have a name and a special role in our world and our lives. Mai rā anō, long ago our tipuna would light a sacred fire and everyone would sit around it-they would think about the Matariki stars and how each one was different and related to them. While they thought they would make wishes and set intentions for the new year to come. The smoke of the fire would carry their aspirations up to the stars.

We decided to look more closely at the stars this year for our whānau learning. We have been crafting with the tamariki and dreaming up new ways to teach them about Matariki.

Tupu-ā-rangi-Is for te ngahere, our native forests and all the native creatures that live there, Te manu-the birds, Te mokomoko-lizards and ngārara-all our bugs!

Waipuna-ā-rangi-is for the waters of the sky in all their forms- ua (rain) ua nganga (hail) and hukarere (snow)!

Ururangi is close friends with te whānau puhi (the wind family) – including Hauraro (the north wind), Tonga (the south wind), Hauāuru (the west wind), and Marangai (the east wind).

Hiwai-i-te-rangi is the wishing star, who helps us to recognise our hopes, dreams and aspirations for the coming year.

Matariki loves to gather the people together, and to connect them.

Tupu-ā-nuku- Understands the importance of healthy soil. Tupu-ā-nuku encourages us to consider more carefully what we are putting into Papatūānuku (the earth) so that we may always grow healthy and strong.

Waitā is for our vast oceans, Te Moana-nui-o-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) and Te Tai-o-Rehua (the Tasman Sea). Waitā encourages us to respect our coasts and oceans, and treat their inhabitants like the taonga (treasures) they really are.

Waitī watches over our freshwater environments. Our awa (rivers), roto (lakes), kūkūwai (wetlands), and waipuna (springs). As the waters flow, she sees how they support us, provide for us, connect us, and sustain us. Waitī has heard the important stories that our waters have to tell. She encourages us to listen, and to learn from them as well.

Pōhutukawa- 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.