Te Reo & Maori Culture

Cool events at the Newlands Community Centre

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Have you ever visited the Newlands Community Centre? It’s really cool and they always have fun stuff happening. Here’s what’s coming up:

– Come along to the ‘Legends of Maui story time’ on Monday 10th, 17th, and 24th June from from 9.30–10.15am. snuggle up and listen to stories of Maui’s legendary adventures

– Join us for a weaving session with Ngā Hau e Whā o Paparārangi Marae’s rāranga (weaving) group. We will be making putiputi (flowers) and Taonga Takaro (toys). A koha towards the rāranga group would be appreciated. Wednesday 12 June, 6.30 – 8.30pm

Waitangi Day: The Treaty of Waitangi

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The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in the grounds of James Busby’s house in Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands. It was signed on February 6th 1840 and is considered by many to be the founding document of New Zealand. It was signed by 500 Maori Chiefs and the British Leaders representing the British Crown.

There were two different versions signed, one in Maori and one in English. The wording was not exactly the same. And so the words did not mean the same to both parties, this has caused many problems over the years. Especially as past Governments have not always abided by the Treaty agreements.

Since 1974 New Zealand has celebrated Waitangi Day On February 6th each year as a Public Holiday (which means you get a day off school!).

Some celebrate it by re-enacting the treaty signing at Waitangi (in the Bay of Islands) others as a day to celebrate being a New Zealander.

What are you doing to celebrate Waitangi Day?

Some Waitangi Fiction:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And non-fiction:

 

Waitangi Day: Festival

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Awesome Waitangi Day events and activities for you to do!

 

This week is Waitangi Day – 6th February. It’s a public holiday, which means you get the day off school to celebrate New Zealand.

There’s some great stuff happening, the coolest is Te Ra O Waitangi – a Waitangi Day festival around the waterfront area. Events and activities starting from 10am.

 

 

For Kids there will be activities and entertainment at WHAREWAKA-A-TEA:

10am: Taonga Pu- tangitangi – make a musical instrument and learn to play it. Make a waka from harakeke/flax and driftwood Airbrush tattoos and balloons for kids

11am and 11.50am: Storytelling with Apirana Taylor

12 noon: Taonga Pu- tangitangi – make a musical instrument and learn to play it. Make a waka from harakeke/flax and driftwood Airbrush tattoos and balloons for kids

 

But there’s more…

WAKA ACTIVITIES (Lagoon and inner harbour)

10am: Have a go at waka ama with Wellington Tenths Trust and Palmerston North Ma- ori Reserve

11am: Nga- Waka Te Rerenga Ko-tare and Te Hononga display on the harbour and a race along the Frank Kitts Park waterfront edge

at 11.30am

12.30pm: Nga- Waka Te Rerenga Ko-tare and Te Hononga salute from harbour

 

TE RAUKURA, TE WHAREWAKA O – PO- NEKE

From 10am: Raranga Ro-pu- Manaia – Flax-weaving showcase and learn how to make putiputi/flower. Solander Gallery exhibiting ‘The next chapter/Te Ara Whakamua’. Paintings by various artists in residents from Matiu Island. Department of Conservation have brought geckos to view

1–3.30pm: Waka ko-rero (at 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm) by Neavin Broughton from Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust

 

TE ATAMIRA / STAGE

12.30pm: Public address – Hon. Mahara Okeroa, Chairman of the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust and Her Worship the Mayor of Wellington Celia Wade-Brown. Nga- Taonga Mai Tawhiti Kapa Haka

1pm: Toni Huata and Nga-ti Po-neke Kapa Haka

2pm: Downtown Community Ministry Ukelele Crew. Te Kura Kaupapa Ma-ori o Nga- Mokopuna Kapa Haka. Indigenous Melbourne-based SKIN Choir

3.30pm: Tomorrow People

4.30pm: Ladi6

6pm: Salsa at Sunset

 

TE PAPA TA -KARO / WAITANGI PARK

10am–2pm: Ki-o-Rahi 4 Wha-nau Traditional Maori Sports games – exhibition and have a go. Hangi available for purchase.

9pm: Films by Starlight: Boy (M)

 

TE PAPA TONGAREWA

1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm: Treaty of Waitangi Floortalks: Nau mai, haere mai! Learn about New Zealand’s founding document

with a 30-minute tour through our Treaty-focused exhibitions. Limited to 20 people a session

12noon–2pm and 3–5pm: Wailing Chamber

 

 

All events and activities are free and fun – everyone’s welcome. Festival info plus a map of the locations here.

 

Matariki Storytelling at Tawa Library

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Bring your children to Tawa Library to hear special stories read by people from our community, about Matariki and beyond.No Charge. All welcome.

Matariki.webMonday 25 June, 10.30am – Kura Goldsmith

Tuesday 26 June, 11.30am – Amanda Dobson

Wednesday 27 June, 11.30am – Toa Waaka

Thursday 28 June 11.30am – Hone Harawira

Friday 29 June, 10.30am – Liz Langham

Presented by Mana Tiaki

Celebrating Matariki 25 – 29 June

Nau Mai, Haere Mai!

Matariki Stories

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Matariki is just around the corner. If you want to find out more about it and how we New Zealanders celebrate our Maori New Year, Matariki by Melanie Drewery and Bruce Potter is a very good picture book to read. It has very lovely illustrations and also explains what Matariki is and what people do to celebrate it in a very simple way. It’s a delight to read so check it out!
 
Also The Seven Stars of Matariki by Toni Rolleston-Cummins tells another legend about how the star cluster came into being. It’s very entertaining to read.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Whakanuia Matariki

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Whakanuia Matariki/Happy New Year!

In early Pipiri/June a small but very special cluster of stars becomes visible from Aotearoa/New Zealand, in our winter skies.  The Māori name for this constellation is Matariki and traditionally its arrival marks the beginning of the Māori New Year.  For some iwi, especially in the west, the star Puanga (or Reigel) marks the new year, as it is more easily visable. For many New Zealanders Matariki/Puanga is a special time to celebrate with loved ones, and a time to reflect on our own place in the world, our culture and heritage. 

There are lots of fun and exciting events and activities happening in our community in celebration of  Matariki, including some free library events for the whole family – nau mai, haere mai – all welcome!  There are also some wonderful Matariki festivities happening around Wellington, and at Te Papa. so gather your friends and whanau and get involved!

Looking for something to read? Try this:

Nga whetu o Matariki – Matariki Stars

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Did you know that the Matariki constellation can be see from many parts of the world and not just in Aotearoa New Zealand?  It also has several different names!  In Japan the star cluster is known as Subaru (like the car), meaning united or getting together.  In other cultures the stars are known as Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, Matali’i and Messier 45.

For Māori, Matariki means the eyes of God (mata ariki) or little eyes (mata riki).  This refers to a traditional Māori myth where the eyes watch over the Aotearoa, the land and its people.  The other star celebrated in Māori culture at the same time of year as Matariki  is Puanga, or Reigal . Puanga is the bright white star seen over Orions belt – or, as the Māori saw it, the berry bait hanging over the perch of the snare for the kereru.

You might like to see if you can find the Matariki constellation in the sky yourself (if you can brave getting out of bed at 5am it will definately be worth it!)  Follow this beginner’s guide to finding Matariki or this link: help finding Matariki.

And if you’re interested in Astronomy, here’s a selection of cool books available in our collection:

Matariki at Karori Library

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Matariki

Nau mai haere mai.  Whakanuia te wā o Matariki i te Wharepukapuka o Karori. Ka hanga tātou i ngā waka mai te harakeke me te tāwhaowhao.  Rāatu 20 Piripi, 3.30 – 5.00

Celebrate Matariki at Karori Library.  We will be making waka from flax and driftwood.  Wed 20th June, 3.30 – 5.00pm.  

Everybody welcome, bring your whānau & friends – we’re looking forward to celebrating Matariki with you!

Matariki Storytelling @ the Central Library

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MatarikiNau mai, haere mai.  Help us celebrate Matariki  at our special storytelling session.  Come along to hear traditional and original stories read by Apirana Taylor – including stories about Matariki. 

Saturday, June 9, 2012, 2 – 3pm in the children’s story area on the ground floor of the Central Library.  All tamariki welcome, and your whānau & friends.