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It’s no surprise that Matariki is the theme for this school holiday at local libraries, with free activities for all ages ranging from stargazing and yoga to racing robots and marine discovery.
Stretching, bending and staying still will all be on the agenda during two Matariki yoga sessions for kids, which are being run by Zuzana from Little Yoga at Warkworth and Wellsford Libraries this Monday and Tuesday, July 8 and 9.
The team from Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre will be at Warkworth on July 9 to talk about the role of snapper, kōura, kina and seaweed in the moana, or ocean, and the importance of marine protection areas.
On a similar theme, children can actually meet a mermaid on July 11 at Warkworth, when Auckland Council’s WasteWise team drop in to share games, activities and tips for going plastic-free.
Warkworth also has a visit from award-winning local author Maria Gill on July 16, who will talk about the smallest thing on Earth and the biggest thing in the Universe, with plenty of fun star-themed activities as well.
Wellsford Library is running a Kahui Whetū, or constellation, competition. To enter, children can either use a library template or create their own star, then colour and decorate it, give it a name – the more fabulous, the better, organisers say – and drop it into the library by the end of the month.
To make it easier for entrants, the library is running two Kahui Whetū workshops on Monday, July 8 and 15, both at 2pm, with plenty of craft materials and art supplies on hand to help everyone make their own special star.
Sticking with the same theme, the library is running a session showing how to light up the stars with a home-made constellation projector on July 10.
Then it’s back down to earth on July 11 to take a special look at the Peter Gossage classic, Battle of the Mountains – Te Pakanga a ngā Maunga – with his daughter, renowned Pakiri artist Ra Gossage. As well as hearing the much-loved story, there’s a chance to make and decorate a model maunga to take home.
Meanwhile, with the Mahurangi East Library at Snells Beach closed for major renovations, staff are hoping young readers will help them to brighten up their temporary building in the tennis club carpark.
Entrants simply have to create a colourful picture or design on an A4 sheet of paper of what Matariki means to them and their whanau.
“We would like to put these pictures up on the outside wall of our temporary portacom that we are using as our library,” says a staff member.
What’s happening and where…
WARKWORTH
Monday, July 8, 10.30am
Matariki Yoga with Little Yoga Free, fun yoga session for kids by Zuzana from Little Yoga Warkworth. Limited space, so contact the library to reserve a spot – email warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Tuesday, July 9, 10.30am
Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre Experience Interactive session with the team from the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre to learn about the importance protecting the mauri of our moana through the story of the snapper, kōura, kina and seaweed.
Wednesday, July 10, 10.30am
Paper Plane Extravaganza Design, fold and fly your own paper planes, as well as an aero-launcher. Aerodynamic testing sessions and prizes to be won.
Thursday, July 11, 10.30am
Meet a Mermaid Interactive drop-in session with the WasteWise team and a real-life Auckland Mermaid. Games, activities and tips for going plastic-free.
Monday, July 15, 10.30am
Love the Earth Storytime and Craft Special storytime featuring stories,
songs, rhymes and a craft. Recommended for ages 2-7.
Tuesday, July 16, 10.30am
Look to the Stars with Maria Gill Local award-winning author Maria Gill will share fascinating facts, amazing quizzes, an eye-popping demo and fun star activities.
Wednesday, July 17, 10.30am and 2pm
Matariki Robots A race for Codey Rocky robots around the Matariki stars. Ages 6+, registration required: email warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Thursday, July 18, 1.30pm
Weaving with Wool & Fabric Chance to learn to weave with a loom and make something to take home. Ages 5+, booking essential: email: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
WELLSFORD
Monday, July 8, 2pm
Kahui Whetū Workshop One of two sessions to make, decorate and name a star for the Kahui Whetū – constellation – prize competition. Craft materials and art supplies provided.
Tuesday, July 9, 11am
Matariki Yoga with Little Yoga Free, fun yoga session for kids by Zuzana from Little Yoga Warkworth.
Wednesday, July 10, 2pm
DIY Constellation Projector Make your own constellation projector and see how the stars light up. BYO torch (optional).
Thursday, July 11, 2pm
Battle of the Mountains – Te Pakanga a ngā Maunga Pakiri artist Ra Gossage will revisit this classic story by her late father, author and storyteller Peter Gossage, plus maunga model-making.
Friday, July 12, 2pm
LEGO Club Matariki-themed session with the library’s huge LEGO collection making Tukutuku – Maori lattice – panels.
Monday, July 15, 2pm
Kahui Whetū workshop One of two sessions to make, decorate and name a star for the Kahui Whetū – constellation – prize competition. Craft materials and art supplies provided.
Tuesday, July 16, 10.30am and 2pm
Matariki Robots A race for Codey Rocky robots around the Matariki stars. Limited places. To book a slot, email Wellsford.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Wednesday, July 17, 2pm
Winter Games Try-out session with Wellsford Library’s new range of games. Players get a star sticker for every new game played.
Thursday, July 18, 10.30am
Wishing Stars in a Jar Making paper wishing stars and decorating a wishing star jar. BYO jar (optional)
Friday, July 19, 2pm
LEGO Club Make and create session with the library’s huge LEGO collection.
MAHURANGI EAST
The library team at Snells Beach is running a Matariki art competition for two age groups – five to 12-year-olds and those who are aged 13 to 18.
Entrants simply have to draw or create a colourful picture or design on an A4 sheet of paper of what Matariki means to them and their whanau.
As the main library is closed for building works, entries can be dropped in to the temporary library portacom in the tennis club carpark at 296 Mahurangi East Road from now until Sunday, July 21.
Info: www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/school-holidays.aspx
