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Matariki Stars and Whakapapa

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Matariki Stars and Whakapapa

Read the short kōrero and use the star guide to complete the activities. You may answer in te reo Māori, English, or both. Whakapapa and whānau stories can be private: share only what feels right for you. Star associations can vary between iwi and rohe.

He kōrero mō Matariki | A kōrero about Matariki

Ko Matariki te ingoa o tētahi kāhui whetū, ā, koia hoki te ingoa o tētahi whetū o taua kāhui. Ka kitea a Matariki i te rangi o te ata i te takurua. He wā tēnei mō te maumahara ki te hunga kua mate, mō te whakanui i te wā nei, me te titiro whakamua. E ai ki ētahi kōrero, ka tohu ngā whetū o te kāhui i ngā āhuatanga o te taiao, pērā i te wai, te hau, me ngā kai. Ka rerekē ētahi kōrero i tēnā iwi, i tēnā rohe. Ka hui ngā whānau me ngā hapori ki te kai, ki te kōrero, ki te waiata, ki te whakaaro hoki ki ngā wawata mō te tau hou.

Matariki — wellbeing and the gathering of people

Tupuānuku — food grown in the ground

Tupuārangi — food gathered from above the ground

Waitī — fresh water and the life within it

Waitā — the ocean and its food

Waipunarangi — rain

Ururangi — winds

Pōhutukawa — those who have passed away

Hiwa-i-te-rangi — hopes and aspirations

Ngā mahi | Activities

Use the kōrero and star guide. Give evidence or a reason where asked.

1.When is Matariki described as appearing in the kōrero?

2.Which star is associated with food grown in the ground?

Tupuānuku
Ururangi
Waitā
Pōhutukawa

3.Complete the sentence: Ko te whetū e hono ana ki te ua (rain).

4.Match each star to its association.

Waitī
Ururangi
Hiwa-i-te-rangi
Pōhutukawa

Winds
Those who have passed away
Fresh water
Hopes and aspirations

5.The kōrero says every iwi and rohe has exactly the same Matariki teachings.

TrueFalse

6.The kōrero gives several ways people mark Matariki. Name two and explain what each might help a community do.

7.Whakapapa can connect people with whānau, places, histories, and the natural world. Choose one connection you are comfortable sharing (for example, a place, a valued person, or a part of nature). Describe it and explain why it matters to you. You do not need to give private family or iwi details.

8.Choose one star from the guide. In the space, draw a simple symbol that could represent its association. Write the star’s name and add one sentence explaining your choice.

Draw the symbol for Question 8 here.

9.Hiwa-i-te-rangi is associated in some teachings with hopes and aspirations. Write one hope for the year ahead and one small action that could help you work towards it.