Matariki at Woodstock

Celebrating Matariki and Maori Language ...

Information about Matariki:
Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters and is widely known to signify the traditional Maori New Year. Traditionally the strength of the visibility of the Matariki star formation, indicated the growth of the coming season's crop. Brighter stars meant a warmer season was ahead meaning better or more productive crops would be grown. Tangata (people) would come home to their Maara (garden) as a family or Hapu (sub-tribe) to plant crops to be harvested for the coming year in order to feed the whole community. Often it was a celebratory time where family met and spent days together catching up on news and learning about history while working together. Planning was also important as where and how the crops would be divided once harvested in order to best look after the whole community was very important.

So what is happening at Woodstock?

Matariki Food Drive 2011:
During the next few weeks (Monday 20th June to Friday 1st July) we will be having a Food Drive to celebrate the spirit of looking after everyone in our community through the sharing of food. All proceeds will go to the local food banks in the area. As well as celebrating Matariki, the food drive also reinforces our Woodstock Learner for 2011 under the Participating and Contributing competency. A box for non-perishable food is placed in the office area for those wishing to contribute to the food drive.

During Matariki Week (27th June – 1st July):
On Monday (27th June) and Wednesday (29th June) lunchtime students are welcome to come and learn new Maori Traditional games illustrating Matariki with Rakau (Sticks) and Whai (String). The senior students will be playing Kio-O-Rahi, a Maori sport played in the style of tag rugby.

Parental participation is most welcome!