Matariki

Kia Ora Whanau,

Today we had Pa Jack come and speak to us about Matariki.

We sung:

We learned how to say:

Ngā mihi o te wa Matariki (hello, greetings during the time of Matariki)

Matariki mai!!!! (blessings to you and yours)

During Matariki everyone plays games. Games such as sting games and kite making. When the kites are made they are flown altogether. The owner of the kite that flies the highest were held with importance because their kite was closest to Matariki and were deemed special. This child would hold onto this mana for the full year until the next Matariki.

All of the gardens/crops were done for the year. The people would not go and fish in the sea at this stage.

Matariki Legend: (as told by Pa Jack)

Ranginui and Papatuanuku loved each other and cuddled lots. They had 70 children (that's a lot of kids) they lived on the earth with their Mama. They all got squashed! Except Tawhirmatea (he's like air), he liked to fly around. Tane couldn't grow his forest, Tangaroa couldn't let his fish go free because they were squashed. Everyone was unhappy!

Tane thought I have a plan - He put his back onto his mother and his feet up into the sky and pushed and pushed! Until he separated his parents.

One sibling was very upset! He did not like how his parents were split. He was angry! He made tornadoes and hurricanes to attack his brothers and sisters. He pulled his eyes out and threw them into the sky - in a blind rage!