My Account
Matariki (Maori New Year) celebrations began this week, on June 18, and continue for a month, with a number of events and activities held locally.
Kites were traditionally made by Maori for Matariki, and with this in mind, Whangaparaoa College Year 7 students researched, designed and made kites which took to the air on June 11.
One requirement of the project was that recycled materials be used, and these included various types of plastic and paper, a t-shirt, toilet rolls and fabric.
The traditional diamond shape was the most popular, but there were also a range of bird and plane shapes as well as box kites.
Other events to mark Matariki at the college were an international food festival and a concert.
Orewa Library is also pulling out all the stops for Matariki, with a programme of events that runs from July 6–17 and includes a chance to learn about Maori medicine, kite making, weaving flax flowers, making poi and a demonstration of mat-making.
Kapa Haka performances from local schools will take place at Whangaparaoa Library on June 24 (12 noon–1pm) to mark Matariki. All are welcome.
Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters. The Maori New Year is marked by the rise of this group of stars.
