He Wā Whakahirahira: Celebrating Matariki at Kimihia

Guided by the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, ako, and wairuatanga, our aim was to honour this sacred time in a way that brought our whānau and wider learning community together not only to celebrate, but to connect, remember, and grow.

We knew from the outset that this celebration would be more than just a gathering. It was an opportunity to reflect the mauri of Matariki – a time of new beginnings, spiritual renewal, and unity. It began with reaching out to our whānau to ask for support in preparing a hāngi; but this wasn’t just about food. We wanted to create something deeply meaningful – a taonga of shared experience that encompassed aroha, connection, and respect. We envisioned a space where hearts would be nourished as much as bodies, where stories and spirit were woven into every part of the celebration.

A highlight of our learning journey was the guidance of Ness from Ngāi Tahu, who has been visiting us weekly to teach waiata Māori. In the weeks leading up to Matariki, we focused on three special waiata that our tamariki embraced with enthusiasm. The Matariki Macarena was a particular favourite, bringing smiles and energy to our mornings. Tamariki also rose to the challenge of learning a traditional rakau waiata, building coordination and unity through rhythmic movement.

Our close connection with the Young Parents College (TPU) provided further opportunity for collaborative learning. Together, we reflected on ways to give tamariki hands-on experiences grounded in te ao Māori. Kaiako James designed a planting simulation, where instead of planting new crops, tamariki dug up kūmara and potatoes hidden in the soil – learning that kai must first be grown and harvested before it can be prepared and shared. This experience was followed by a pretend pig hunt to prepare for a bacon bone boil-up, helping tamariki understand the whakapapa of food and its role in whānau gatherings.

Te Rā Whakanui – Our Celebration Day

On Wednesday 19 June, the culmination of our month-long journey was shared with whānau and our wider community. For many of our tamariki, it was their very first Kapa Haka performance. Dressed in piupiu, korowai and pitaata, our tamariki performed three waiata with pride, mana, and aroha — a moment of great joy and emotion for everyone present.

Following the performance, we gathered outside to share in a kai prepared with aroha and dedication. The hāngi, which had taken two days to prepare, brought our community together. The fried bread, lovingly cooked in the traditional way by Maizie’s pāpā, was a highlight. For many tamariki, it was their first time tasting hāngi — a new cultural experience met with curiosity and respect. We were honoured to have Roman’s whānau travel from Blenheim to prepare the hāngi, and their generosity and manaakitanga left a lasting impression on us all.

Before the kai was served, Teina Trillo (Roman's mum) offered the first portion to the Matariki star cluster with a karakia, acknowledging the spiritual significance of the moment and honouring the traditions of our ancestors. Her korero reminded us Matariki is more than the rising of stars – it is a time to pause, to reflect, and to renew. It is about remembering those who have gone before us, giving thanks for the present, and setting intentions for the year ahead.

We were blessed to welcome many members of our community to share in this special day — including whānau from Te Aratai College, Young Parents College, local primary schools, Ministry of Education, NZ Police, Ministry of Health, Whitora NZ, and of course, our own tamariki and their whānau. The atmosphere was alive with wairua, joy, and connection.