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Hi Toni

I am not from New Zealand but from what I know Matariki is celebrated in June

It is a family celebration remembering those who have passed and somehow relating this to the stars

It also features music song and dance.

You could ask the residents and family members what they want to do and how they want to celebrate

You could do an arts and crafts project featuring stars either drawing them or coloring them Or using star stickers

Let us know what you decide to do

Thanks

Matariki the Māori New Year, is rich with tradition. Discover the importance of Matariki, and explore ways that you can celebrate the Māori New Year with your family. Matariki is officially celebrated on 13 July 2020.

Thank you for this information Sharon I’m sure will be quite useful

Thank you Sharon, we will take note of this information.

There are quite a few resources if you do a Google search and printable posters etc. Last year we did some wall displays with information about what Matariki is so the residents, staff and families could learn about it. We also used star buntings which looked lovely. This year, we plan to make a Korowai getting residents to paint the feathers using a template from Golden Carers ( look at the Waitangi Day resources on GC). My colleague also suggested hanging cardboard stars from the ceiling and putting the name of each Matariki star on it, she does this at home with her children.

This year Matariki is on Friday 14th July 2023,

We are having a display on both of our notice boards informing the residents about Matariki and why we celebrate it. We are also making fry bread with the residents and having a Hangi for lunch. For an activity we are printing off stars with a Maori design and colouring in then we will displaying the residents art work. Google search has a lot of info to help make it a special day for our residents.

There's a really cool idea for primary schools where several people colour in parts of a whare tapa wha and piece them together to make a beautiful mosaic one

Hi Kingswood

Thank you for this good idea

One year we did a community Soup. So got the residents involved in cutting the carrots and the potatoes and making it which is what the Primary Schools Do. I buy Rewana Bread from a local source and we have it with the soup. Have made the feathered Korowai from some Māori colouring in feathers I found on the net for free. Coloured them in with crayon then did a light colour wash over them, really pretty and effective. I also decorate the tables with Paua Shells and Stars and try and make it about the land and the sea and the sky.