Introduction to Matariki

Overview

This is lesson 1 of 10 in Exploring Matariki: A Kiwi Perspective. Students build background knowledge about Matariki, its significance in Māori culture, its connection with the natural world, and its place as a time of renewal and remembrance. The lesson establishes respectful discussion routines and prepares students for later exploration of Matariki stars, stories, traditions and contemporary celebrations.

Learning intentions

• WALT understand the significance of Matariki.
• Learn that Matariki is connected with the Māori New Year.
• Explore how Matariki links people, place, seasons and the natural world.
• Begin to distinguish shared knowledge from personal ideas and questions.

Success criteria

• I can identify what Matariki represents.
• I can explain when Matariki is observed and why its timing can vary.
• I can describe one way Matariki connects people with the natural world or community.
• I can ask or answer a respectful question about Matariki.

Curriculum links

• Social Sciences — understanding how people participate individually and collectively in response to community needs and how cultural practices shape identity and belonging.
• History — using evidence and stories to build knowledge about the past and how it continues to influence life today.
• English — speaking, listening and interacting thoughtfully when sharing ideas and responding to others.
• Writing to inform — selecting relevant information, using precise vocabulary and organising ideas clearly.

Lesson structure (30 minutes)

1. 0–4 min · Hook and prior knowledge. Display a striking image of the pre-dawn winter sky and open with the Matariki sky hook slide. Ask: “What might people learn from looking carefully at the sky?” Students silently notice details, then share one observation or question with a partner. Explain that some Māori communities look for the Matariki star cluster to mark the beginning of a new year.

2. 4–9 min · Establish respectful context. Show the context and respectful learning slides and explain that Matariki is a significant time in te ao Māori, with meanings and practices that may differ between iwi and whānau. Clarify that Matariki is associated with remembrance, celebrating the present, planning for the future and caring for people and the environment. Students record one fact they hear on the Matariki noticing and learning sheet.

3. 9–14 min · Story and visual teaching. Share a suitable age-appropriate Māori story or short video about Matariki, using the story and natural-world visual slides to display key images and vocabulary. Pause to ask: “What does this story show about the relationship between people, whenua, wai, weather, plants or stars?” Students turn and talk, using a sentence such as “This connects to the natural world because…”.

4. 14–21 min · Guided discussion. Display the discussion question slide and provide each group with one or two the group discussion cards. In groups of five, students discuss: “Why might a new year be a useful time to remember, celebrate and plan?” and “How could observing the natural world help a community?” One student facilitates, one watches the time, and all students contribute an idea or question. Circulate, correcting misconceptions gently and affirming respectful listening.

5. 21–27 min · Individual response. Revisit the key ideas and response instructions. Students complete the worksheet prompts: identify what Matariki represents, state when it is observed, and explain one connection to the natural world or community. They may use a labelled diagram, short paragraph or bullet points. Remind students that the timing of Matariki is not identical every year and can differ according to location and iwi knowledge.

6. 27–30 min · Plenary and check. Show the final recap and exit question slide. Invite three or four students to share one accurate statement. Students complete the final worksheet sentence: “Matariki is significant because…”. Collect responses to check understanding and note questions to revisit in lesson 2.

Resources

• the Matariki introduction slide deck
• the Matariki noticing and learning sheet
• Age-appropriate Māori story or short video about Matariki
• Projector or large display
• Whiteboard and markers
• One set of the group discussion cards per group
• Pencils or coloured pencils

Assessment

• Listen during pair and group discussions for accurate ideas about Matariki, the Māori New Year, remembrance, celebration, planning and connection with the natural world.
• Check worksheet responses for the two essential understandings: what Matariki represents and when it is observed. Record students who need further clarification.
• Use the final sentence as an exit check. Accept oral responses or scribed answers where appropriate.

Differentiation

• Provide a word bank on the board: Matariki, star cluster, Māori New Year, whenua, whānau, remembrance, celebration, future, natural world.
• Offer sentence starters, partner rehearsal and the option to draw and label ideas before writing. Read worksheet prompts aloud and provide a scribe or speech-to-text support where needed.
• For English language learners, pre-teach key vocabulary with images, allow home-language discussion, and pair students with a supportive peer.
• Extend confident students by asking them to explain why Matariki’s timing may vary and to compare a community celebration with another New Year tradition, focusing on similarities and differences rather than ranking cultures.