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Matariki Star Cluster

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Matariki Star Cluster

Read the star guide, then complete each activity. Use the Māori words in the guide to help you. You may answer in te reo Māori, English, or both where asked.

He aratohu mō ngā whetū | Star guide

Matariki is a cluster of stars that appears in the midwinter sky. Its rising is a time to remember people who have died, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future. The stars are often connected with different parts of the natural world and people’s lives. Whānau and iwi may share different stories and practices. Matariki — wellbeing and togetherness Pōhutukawa — remembering those who have died Tupuānuku — food grown in the earth, such as kūmara Tupuārangi — food from above the earth, such as fruit and birds Waitī — fresh water and the life within it Waitā — ocean waters and their food Waipuna-ā-rangi — rain Ururangi — winds Hiwa-i-te-rangi — hopes and aspirations Kupu āwhina | Helpful words: te whetū = the star; te wai māori = fresh water; te moana = ocean; te ua = rain; te hau = wind; te hiahia = hope or wish; te maumahara = remember.

Ngā mahi | Activities

Use the star guide to solve the activities.

1.Which star is connected with food grown in the earth?

Tupuānuku
Waitī
Ururangi
Pōhutukawa

2.Match each star to its connection.

Waitī
Waipuna-ā-rangi
Hiwa-i-te-rangi
Pōhutukawa

Hopes and aspirations
Fresh water
Rain
Remembering those who have died

3.Waitā is connected with fresh water and the life within it.

TrueFalse

4. is connected with the winds. (Choose from the star guide.)

5.A family gathers to share kai and check how everyone is feeling. Which star’s connection best fits this activity? Give one reason from the guide.

6.Complete the sentence using a star name: “Ko te whetū e hono ana ki te ua.” (The star connected with rain is .)

7.How are Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi different? Name one kind of food connected with each.

8.What does “te moana” mean?

The sea
The wind
A hope
The rain

9.Hiwa-i-te-rangi is connected with hopes and aspirations. Write one hope for the year ahead. You may use this frame: “Ko taku hiahia, kia __________.” (My hope is that ____.)

10.The guide says Matariki can be a time to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead. Choose one of these ideas and explain one way a whānau could mark it.