Matariki Celebration Day

Overview

This 45-minute session is the culminating activity of the "Matariki Celebrations Unveiled" unit for Year 2 students in New Zealand. The focus is a mini Matariki celebration where students share their representation of stars, perform a Matariki waiata, and recite a karakia together. This lesson integrates Te reo Māori language use with cultural knowledge and celebrates the spirit of Matariki, connecting to identity and community in line with the New Zealand Curriculum.

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Curriculum Links

Learning Area: Te Reo Māori (Level 1-2)

• Language
  • Use familiar expressions and simple language to communicate ideas and cultural knowledge (Level 1)
  • Participate in shared experiences and respond to oral language (Level 2)
• Culture
  • Understand and participate in Māori cultural events associated with Matariki
• Key Competencies
  • Manaakitanga (Contribution and responsibility in the group)
  • Whanaungatanga (Building relationships and identity)
  • Communication (oral language and listening)

Achievement Objectives (NZ Curriculum, Level 1-2)

• Understand and use simple conversation patterns orally (Listening and Speaking)
• Recognise and use simple karakia and waiata (Songs and Chants)
• Participate in cultural events and share personal learning confidently
• Demonstrate respect and understanding for Māori values through participation

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

• Share their personalised Matariki stars, using simple Te reo expressions about their star’s meaning (e.g., "Ko taku whetū he..." / "My star is...")
• Perform together a Matariki waiata with confidence and rhythm
• Recite a simple karakia, showing respect and understanding of its significance
• Demonstrate the spirit of kotahitanga (unity) and whanaungatanga (relationship) through participation

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Resources Needed

• Student-created stars (from previous lessons)
• Lyrics for the Matariki waiata (written and visual/with actions)
• Karakia text
• Matariki-themed decorations or visual aids
• Audio playback tool (if waiata accompanies music)
• A comfortable gathering space arranged for performance

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Lesson Plan Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Curriculum Focus & Notes
0-5 min	Welcome & Whakarongo (Listening)	Begin with a karakia to open the session. Teacher leads as students listen and repeat.	Oral language skills: following sequence and tone
5-15 min	Sharing Stars (Speaking & Presenting)	Each student shares their star’s name and meaning in simple phrases (teacher scaffolds language).	Developing oral language confidence & cultural knowledge
15-20 min	Group Reflection	Brief class discussion on what Matariki means to them and why stars and celebrations are important.	Building comprehension and cultural understanding
20-35 min	Waiata Performance	Teach or rehearse a simple waiata about Matariki, encouraging expressive singing with actions.	Oral language, rhythm, participation, manaakitanga
35-40 min	Karakia Recital	Recite a karakia together. Teacher models; students join in. Emphasise respect and correct pronunciation.	Language use in cultural contexts; respect for tradition
40-45 min	Celebration & Whakamutunga (Closing)	End with a shared kai or special Matariki treats (optional), reinforcing the spirit of community.	Whanaungatanga and manaakitanga; positive closure

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Teaching Strategies

• Scaffolding language: Use simple, repetitive sentence structures for star sharing ("Ko taku whetū ko..."), supported by sentence starters and visual prompts.
• Engagement through movement: Integrate actions with waiata to support memory and enjoyment, catering to diverse learners.
• Positive reinforcement: Use lots of praise and gentle correction in a supportive atmosphere to encourage participation.
• Cultural context: Remind students of the importance of karakia and waiata in Māori culture as ways of giving thanks and connecting with the environment and ancestors.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation: Teacher notes participation and effort during star sharing presentations and group activities.
• Listening and Speaking: Informal assessment of language use during waiata and karakia (accuracy, pronunciation, confidence).
• Cultural Understanding: Reflected in the post-sharing discussion showing recognition of Matariki’s significance.

These assessments align with key competencies and achievement objectives in the New Zealand Curriculum for Year 2 proficiency in Te reo Māori literacy and cultural engagement.

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Notes for Teachers

• Adapt language complexity based on your students’ proficiency levels. Some may share just star names; others may add simple descriptions.
• Encourage students to support each other during performances to foster manaakitanga.
• Use this celebratory session to embed pride in Te reo Māori and cultural knowledge, enhancing students’ identity and belonging in Aotearoa.

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This lesson plan cultivates a meaningful cultural experience that confidently uses Te reo Māori in an authentic, engaging context, fully aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum for Year 2 students in Phase 1 (Years 0-3) learning to thrive in language-rich environments .