Matariki Celebrations

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 9 students to Matariki, focusing on its cultural significance, history, and contemporary celebrations in Aotearoa New Zealand. The lesson incorporates Māori perspectives and language, engaging students through storytelling, discussion, and a creative art project. The aim is to deepen students’ understanding of Matariki as a key part of Māori culture and its growing role as a national celebration.

Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Social Sciences (Humanities) Year Level: 9 Duration: 60 minutes Class Size: 25 students

Relevant New Zealand Curriculum Links:

Social Sciences Strand: Place and Environment Understand how people’s management of places and environments reflects their values and culture
Explore relationships between Māori cultural practices and their environment.
Use sources to explain different perspectives on Matariki.
Key Competencies:
Thinking — analyse perspectives and cultural significance of Matariki.
Using language, symbols and texts — engage with te reo Māori and cultural narratives.
Participating and contributing — collaborate in group discussions and creative projects.
Relating to others — listen actively to Māori stories and peers’ contributions.
Values:
Respect — for cultural traditions and Māori worldviews.
Cultural Diversity — acknowledging the importance of Matariki across New Zealand.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Commitment: Ensuring Māori perspectives and te reo Māori language are authentically integrated into learning.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Describe the cultural significance and history of Matariki in Māori tradition.
Identify how Matariki is celebrated historically and in modern New Zealand contexts.
Use simple te reo Māori terms related to Matariki.
Express their understanding creatively through a visual project.
Participate respectfully in group discussions, acknowledging Māori worldviews.

Lesson Plan Breakdown

1. Introduction & Context Setting (10 minutes)

Teacher explains: What is Matariki?
Present the origin story of Matariki as the Māori New Year star cluster.
Use storytelling to relate the significance of Matariki in Māori culture — connection to planting, harvest, remembrance, and celebration of life.
Te reo inclusion: Teach students key vocabulary such as Matariki, waka, whānau, koiwi (ancestors), rangi (sky), and papatūānuku (earth).

Resources:

Storytelling script or video showing Matariki in a Māori cultural context.
Visuals of Matariki stars, traditional celebrations, and astronomy.

2. Group Discussion: Understanding Perspectives (15 minutes)

Divide students into groups of 4-5.
Each group discusses:
How did Māori traditionally celebrate Matariki?
What is the significance of Matariki for the environment and community?
How do contemporary New Zealanders celebrate Matariki, including cross-cultural engagement?
Groups record key points on posters or digital slides.
Teacher circulates, prompting deeper thinking with questions about values, connections to nature, and cultural continuity.

Assessment:

Observe group participation and ability to articulate Māori and contemporary perspectives.
Encourage use of introduced te reo Māori words.

3. Creative Project: Make a Matariki Star or Artwork (25 minutes)

Students create their own visual representation of Matariki stars or depict elements of the celebration using art supplies.
Encourage integration of Māori symbols, motifs, and te reo Māori phrases learned.
Examples: paper star mobiles, painted star constellations, or collage featuring themes of Matariki.

Resources:

Art supplies: coloured paper, markers, scissors, glue.
Examples/images of Matariki constellation and Māori star symbolism.

Learning Focus:

Connecting understanding of Matariki with creativity and Māori cultural elements.
Practising fine motor skills and symbolic expression.

4. Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)

Students present their artwork or star creations to the class.
Reflect on the importance of Matariki to Māori and all New Zealanders.
Discuss: How does learning about Matariki help us appreciate Māori culture and the importance of the natural environment?
Teacher reinforces respectful listening and acknowledges student contributions.

Assessment

Formative:
Observation of student engagement in discussion, use of Māori language, and accuracy of cultural understanding during activities.
Evaluation of creative work showing understanding of Matariki’s significance and symbolism.
Reflection responses to questions during sharing session.
Summative:
Option to extend the lesson into a written reflection or research task on Matariki for deeper learning and literacy development.

Additional Resources

Māori cultural stories and legends about Matariki (oral or written).
Visual star maps of Matariki constellation.
Glossary of te reo Māori words introduced.
Images/videos of modern Matariki festivals around New Zealand.

Teacher Notes

Ensure respectful use of Māori language by modelling correct pronunciation and encouraging whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships).
Emphasise tikanga Māori values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and whanaungatanga (relationships) throughout discussions.
Where possible, invite local kaumātua or Māori cultural experts to enrich the lesson or source authentic resources.
Provide differentiated support for students who may need help with te reo Māori or art tasks.

This lesson aligns closely with Social Sciences standards and competencies within the New Zealand Curriculum, supporting bicultural understanding and engagement with Māori language and culture as an integral part of Aotearoa learning. It fosters the key competencies of thinking, relating to others, and using language in culturally responsive ways, embodying a holistic and inclusive education approach.

Teaching Instructions