MATARIKI - PUANGA, THE MAORI NEW YEAR 2016

MATARIKI - PUANGA

We have been learning about Matariki and Puanga.

• Matariki is the start of the Maori New Year, when the star group called Pleiades is seen in the west of New Zealand. This year it started on 6 June.  
• Puanga is the star that is seen from Whanganui and Taranaki that signals the start of Matariki in those western areas.
• The stars of Matariki are known as the Eyes of God or tiny eyes.   In Japan the same group of stars are on the Subaru logo!

Matariki was the time for gathering food for the winter, a time to gather together to celebrate whanau and rest from the hard work and prepare for the winter.  In olden days, people flew kites, which represented their prayers rising up to the gods.  It is a time for celebrating people, cultures, language and history.

How to find Matariki:

• Matariki is best seen just before dawn, low on the northeast horizon.
• Use the three stars which make up Orion's Belt, also called Tautoru.
• To the left of it, there'll be a bright orange star called Alderbaran, or Taumata-kuku.
• By following an imaginary line you'll come across the cluster of stars known as Matariki.

MATARIKI KITES:

• WE HAVE MADE KITES TO REPRESENT THE BATTLE OF THE MOUNTAINS, AND WE WILL FLY THEM OVER ON THE DOMAIN IN A MOCK ‘BATTLE OF THE MOUNTAINS’ TO CELEBRATE MATARIKI 2016.

Processes of kite making:

• Research ancient Maori methods of kite making - toitoi, raupo, etc.
• Find an easy, cheap way for a whole class to make kites
• Print off the plan and method
• Plan equipment and purchase at the cheapest outlet - (Mitre 10 & The $2 Shop)
• Paint the plastic with the mountain patterns
• Shape and assemble the kites.
• Attach the strings...

Fly the kites on the domain!

We will share our kite pix really soon!