Mānawatia a Matariki

“Kua haehae ngā hihi o Matariki - The rays of Matariki are spread.”

Over the past few months our Sport Bay of Plenty Healthy Active Learning Advisors have been out and about hosting Matariki professional learning afternoons for our kura across the Bay of Plenty.

The intention of these workshops is to provide kaiako an opportunity to understand Matariki and its traditions on a deeper level, while also exploring activities they can use in their learning spaces.

A total of 111 teachers took part in the workshops, spanning across 29 schools from the Bay of Plenty. This impressive attendance also provided local kaiako an opportunity to connect and share their ideas with one another.

Traditional practices were incorporated in the workshops such as weaving whetu, and whai kēmu (string games). Kaiako were immersed into activities they can use in their learning spaces with their tamariki by reimagining how common kēmu, such as tag-based games and capture the flag, can teach tamariki about Matariki. Kaiako also looked at warm up activities using the whetu using amazing resources created by Sport Auckland.

Kaiako also learnt the pūrākau of Rahitūtakahina and explored the taonga tākaro Ki O Rahi and how this pūrākau can link into Matariki.

Sport Bay of Plenty Education Team Leader Debbie Garea says these workshops have not only enriched the kaiako’s understanding of Matariki, but also provided them with practical tools and activities to bring these traditions to life in their learning spaces.

“The response to these workshops has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear through the kaiako’s enthusiasm and creativity that there is a real motivation for connection with the traditions of Mataraiki.”

“We look forward to seeing how these learnings are incorporated into their teaching and how they impact the tamariki.”

Looking to the future, schools in the Western Bay of Plenty BOP are going to be holding Matariki Movement days over the coming weeks using the kēmu they learned at the workshop. Schools from the Eastern Bay of Plenty also recently held their Ki-o-Rahi tournament – the Mataraiki workshops, with support from Mataatua Sports Trust, supported kura in the EBOP to learn Ki-o-Rahi.

Some of the positive feedback from the workshops:

“Games were great - fabulous to see how easy it is to incorporate Matariki Purakau into games. Such a fun way for learners to engage with the stories of Matariki.”

“Love the practical aspect of getting out and seeing games in action. Helps with how we can incorporate this with our tamariki. Awesome that there were junior and senior options.”