Matariki – the Māori New Year – will be celebrated officially on 21 June 2012. Here’s what one Baptist early childhood centre has been doing to mark this event with the centre’s families/whānau. You might want to consider doing something similar, and with four months up your sleeve, you have a bit of time to plan for it.

“Four years ago we decided to involve families/whānau in a Matariki celebration in the Early Childhood Centre. Since that first occasion it has grown each year. Last year our spacious centre was so packed it was hard for people to move around. In view of this we decided to change the venue to a local church hall.

“We also thought we’d put out a challenge to families to create outfits for their children for a wearable art parade. The idea was that we would provide all the resources and the families just needed to tap into their creativity and give up a bit of their time.

“Some of our Parent Educators started the ball rolling with their costumes and as they were displayed in the whānau room other parents started to think they might be able to do it too. The whānau room was temporarily set up as a ‘costume department’. Parents were coming to grips with hot glue guns and a number of our dads learned how to use a sewing machine.

“The evening…was overwhelming. There was an amazing feast that everyone contributed to. There was a star-studded catwalk, wonderfully dressed up children, and very proud parents and whānau. The hall was absolutely packed and the atmosphere was one of celebration, not just of Matariki, but also of our children, whanau and community.”

By Margaret Steedman, Educator, Te Aroha Noa Early Childhood Centre, as quoted in the Te Aroha Noa Community Services Trust Annual Report 2010-2011.

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