NZ HistoryFreePrintable

Hau-Tapu Matariki Ceremony

A free nz history worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Get the PDF — Free in Kuraplan
Hau-Tapu Matariki Ceremony worksheet preview
Hau-Tapu Matariki Ceremony

Hau-Tapu Matariki Ceremony

Matariki stars and ceremony illustration

⭐ Part 1: Understanding Hau-Tapu

1. What does "hau-tapu" mean? Circle the best answer:

Sacred breath or life force

A type of traditional food

A Māori dance

A traditional weapon

2. Which of the following are important elements of hau-tapu ceremonies? (Check all that apply):

Karakia (prayers)

Hongi (traditional greeting)

Sharing of kai (food)

Waiata (songs)

Watching television

🌟 Part 2: Matariki Connection

3. Fill in the blanks about Matariki and hau-tapu:

Matariki is the ____________ name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. During Matariki, hau-tapu ceremonies help to ____________ the spiritual connection between people and the natural world. These ceremonies often involve gathering with ____________ and sharing stories about ancestors.

4. When does Matariki traditionally occur in New Zealand?

Summer (December - February)

Autumn (March - May)

Winter (June - August)

Spring (September - November)

🎨 Part 3: Ceremony Elements

5. Draw a diagram showing the key elements of a hau-tapu Matariki ceremony. Include at least 4 different components:
6. Match the Māori terms with their meanings in hau-tapu ceremonies:
1. Whakapapa
2. Mauri
3. Tapu
4. Whakatōhea
A. Sacred or restricted
B. Life force or essence
C. Genealogy or family connections
D. To awaken or enliven

📝 Part 4: Reflection and Understanding

7. Explain why hau-tapu ceremonies are particularly significant during Matariki time:
8. How do hau-tapu ceremonies help strengthen community bonds during Matariki?
9. What role do ancestors play in hau-tapu Matariki ceremonies?
10. If you were to organise a hau-tapu ceremony for your whānau during Matariki, what three elements would you include and why?
Get the PDF — Free in Kuraplan

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Sign up free, grab the PDF, and customize it for your class.

Print-Ready

Formatted for standard paper. Clean layout, easy to read.

AI-Generated

Created with Kuraplan's AI, designed for real classroom use.

For Teachers & Parents

Use in classrooms, for homework, tutoring, or homeschool.

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

Kuraplan's AI generates custom worksheets in seconds — differentiated for every learner, aligned to your curriculum.

Generate Custom Worksheets — Free
No credit card Curriculum-aligned Under 60 seconds

More NZ History Worksheets

NZ History Timeline Collage
Year 4–6

NZ History Timeline Collage

Free