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Activity: What are the domains of each of the stars?

Use visual arts to express understanding of the Matariki whetū.

Divide ākonga into nine groups and provide each group with an information sheet on one of the whetū of Matariki.

Download the nine whetū info sheet (47.69 KB)

  • Matariki

  • Pōhutukawa

  • Tipuānuku*

  • Tipuārangi*

  • Waitī

  • Waitā

  • Waipunarangi

  • Ururangi

  • Hiwa-i-te-rangi

Synthesise information

Once they have read the information on their chosen whetū within Matariki, ākonga use felt tips to gather ideas on their whetū using the following pātai:

Discuss together:

  • What does your chosen whetū represent?

  • What emotions or feelings could you associate with this whetū?

  • What colours could you use for your whetū and why?

  • What could be some symbols or images that you could use for your chosen whetū and why?

Leave one ‘whetū expert’ at the table, and rotate the other ākonga around to the next whetū station. Ask the ‘whetū expert’ to share information about the whetū with the new group and then see if there are any further ideas to add to the sheet.

Continue with this process until all ākonga have rotated around the whetū stations. Display the collective brainstorms on the wall, or in a shared online space, as a reference for a visual arts activity.

Analyse and use sources

Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngai Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu) drew these striking images of Matariki and her tamariki, expressing the domains of each of the whetu:

Matariki. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Pōhutukawa. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Tipuānuku. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Tipuārangi. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Waitī. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Waitā. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Waipunarangi. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Ururangi. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Hiwa-i-te-rangi. Illustration by and courtesy of Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Share these images with ākonga, alongside the notes they have already made about each of the whetū.

Discuss together:

  • What are the names of each of the whetu represented within this artwork?

  • What are the symbols that the artist has used to show the domain of each of the whetū?

The atua are arranged in the cluster purposefully and deliberately. Watch the video above and listen to Professor Rangi Mātāmua speak about the way they reflect the balance of te taiao.

Express understanding through visual arts

Using this printable template [JPG; 180.7KB – A4 size], ask ākonga to develop their own depiction of the nine whetū of Matariki. Encourage them to decorate each star carefully, thinking about the symbols, colours, patterns, imagery, and energy associated with each of ngā whetū o Matariki. You may want to look at other whetū visuals, such as the ones designed for Te Kāhui o Matariki on the Science Learning Hub.

Ask ākonga to choose their favourite whetū, and have a look through Te Papa’s curated collections that relate to each of the stars. Ākonga can share with the group the collection item that they found most fascinating and why.

*Tipuārangi / Tupuārangi and Tipuānuku / Tupuānuku are both correct spellings. We have been guided by Dr Rangi Matamua here.