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  5. Matariki: The Māori New Year

Matariki for teachers Matariki mā te pouako

Book a Matariki education visit for your ECE or primary students, and download Matariki and Maramataka teaching resources to use in your classroom.

  • Cover of the Matariki activity book
    Matariki activity book

    Matariki activity book

    Learn about Matariki through fun kids’ activities. Featuring word searches, colouring pages, games, and stories, discover what's important during Matariki – whetū (stars), the Maramataka (lunar calendar), kōrero (stories), kai (food), whenua (land), and whānau (family). Available in English and te reo Māori.

    Activity book

  • A man stands in front of a picture of the night sky
    Watch: How to find the Matariki star cluster

    Watch: How to find the Matariki star cluster

    Educator Martin Langdon shows us how to find the Matariki star cluster during the Māori New Year, which falls in the month of Pipiri (June–July).

  • Pataka, a Māori food store
    Matariki 2018 teaching resource – English and mātauranga Māori

    Matariki 2018 teaching resource – English and mātauranga Māori

    We have developed two comprehensive teaching resources, one in English and one and one in mātauranga Māori with reo translation, to support your students’ learning about Matariki in school. 

    Education resource

  • ECE Matariki visit, 2015. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa
    Matariki – ECE visit

    Matariki – ECE visit

    Young tamariki discover the meaning of Matariki in this fun hands-on programme.

    Education visit

  • Inside the Mana Whenua exhibition
    Matariki – primary education visit

    Matariki – primary education visit

    Bring your students to our interactive Matariki programme. Learn about Matariki, the Māori New Year, and its connections to whenua, whānau, kai, and kōrero.

    Education visit

  • Photo of children creating sand art
    Matariki storytelling – teaching resource

    Matariki storytelling – teaching resource

    This three-part resource explores the tradition of storytelling during Matariki.

    Education resource

  • Image of the Matariki star cluster with the names of each star
    The star family of Matariki – teaching resource

    The star family of Matariki – teaching resource

    This three-part resource looks at the seven stars that make up the Matariki star cluster, as well as related personalities.

    Education resource

  • Collection Manager with a kahu huruhuru (feather cloak)
    Matariki 2013 teaching resource

    Matariki 2013 teaching resource

    This resource in Te Reo Māori and English, features five lesson plans and four activity sheets that cover themes of kai (food), taonga puoro (musical instruments), and kākahu (cloaks).

    Education resource

  • Eel trap
    Maramataka: The Māori calendar learning resource

    Maramataka: The Māori calendar learning resource

    Teach the Maramataka and the Māori months in your classroom with the help of our teaching resource and classroom poster.

    Education resource