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Celebrating Matariki
This month at BestStart Highfield we have been celebrating Matariki. Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar which marks the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky. As the stars of the Matariki cluster rise in the winter sky, they signal a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal across Aotearoa.
Matariki is a special period that connects us to the land, the sky, and each other, through a series of events, traditions, and celebrations that are deeply rooted in Māori culture. What great fun we have had this past month exploring this topic. Some of the highlights for us have been engaging in waiata, reading pukapuka and creating many different crafts to learn all about this celebration.
Manaaki room have been busy at work creating art work where the babies got to investigate the stars. It was great fun watching them explore the paint using all of their senses. Whare Tipu made some amazing decorations for the disco we held. They also created a beautiful display to explore the 9 different stars. Kaitiaki room have been busy learning about their culture, tradition and their past. The tamariki had great fun making kites that they got the opportunity to fly together. We also worked together to create a whakapapa wall where the tamariki got to share their culture.
We even held a disco for the tamariki and their whānau. This gave us the opportunity to spend the evening together sharing kai, laughter, dance moves and building on our connections. We danced late into the night under fairy lights. It was such a special evening to share together with our family here at Highfield.