Matariki Cultural Exploration Worksheet

Te Reo Māori — Year 10

Name:

Date:

🌟 Part 1: Kupu Matching — Vocabulary

Draw a line to match each Māori word on the left with its correct English meaning on the right.

Matariki

Whetū

Maramataka

Whānau

Kai

Wānanga

Whetū tapu

Food

Sacred star

Family / extended family

Māori New Year / cluster of stars

Māori lunar calendar

Star

Learning gathering / forum

✏️ Part 2: Short Answer Questions — Pātai

1. In your own words, explain why Matariki is significant to Māori people. Include at least two reasons in your answer.

2. Describe one customary Matariki practice (e.g. preparing a hāngī, sharing stories of ancestors, or observing the stars). What is the purpose of this practice?

3. Have you ever taken part in a Matariki celebration or event? Describe your experience, OR explain one way you would like to celebrate Matariki in the future.

4. How does Matariki connect to the environment and the changing of the seasons? Give one example.

🗣️ Part 3: Pronunciation Practice — Whakahua

Use the sentence frames below to practise speaking and writing in te reo Māori. Complete each sentence using a word or phrase from the kupu list in Part 1.

5. Complete the sentence frame:

He wā motuhake a Matariki mō te ___________________________________.

(Matariki is a special time for...)

6. Complete the sentence frame:

Ko ___________________________ tōku kupu hou.

(My new word is...)

7. Practise saying each word below aloud. Tick the box once you feel confident pronouncing it.

Matariki — Ma-ta-ri-ki

Maramataka — Ma-ra-ma-ta-ka

Pōhutukawa — Pō-hu-tu-ka-wa

Wānanga — Wā-na-nga

Whetū — Whe-tū