Mānawatia a Matariki me Puanga - Winter School Holiday Programme

Matariki Book Quest

Grab an activity booklet and search the library skies find a book that relates to Puanga and each of the stars of Matariki!

Activity booklets are available in te reo Ingarihi and te reo Māori.

This activity is available at all 12 of our library branches and is recommended for tamariki aged 7+ and their caregivers.

Purapura Whetū: Star webs

Join us to celebrate Matariki at the library by creating beautiful stars symbolizing our thankfulness and aspirations for the future. These stars will not just shine bright individually but also collectively, as we put them together in a "Collaborative Constellation", a sparkling embodiment of our shared gratitude and hopes.

This activity is available at all our library branches except for Te Awe Library and is recommended for all ages.

Puanga Kai Rau: Planting for the coming year

Join us at the library to celebrate Puanga and plant something tasty to add to your māra kai (food garden) when spring comes. Learn a little about Puanga and its place in our skies, then try your hand at making a seedling pot out of newspaper and plant some seeds to take home.

As potting mix will be used during this event, those attending may prefer to wear face masks.

For ages 5+ with their caregivers.

• Motu-kairangi | Miramar Library — Thursday 3 July, 11am–12noon
• Te Takapū o Patukawenga | Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library — Thursday 3 July, 2–3pm
• Te Māhanga | Karori Library — Tuesday 8 July, 2.30–3.30pm
• Korimako | Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library — Wednesday 9 July, 11am–12noon

Matariki by Firelight

Join us at the library for a cosy session of Matariki and Aotearoa themed stories and waiata. We’ll create an indoor campfire, you come along in your PJs ready for some Matariki tales and heart-warming bedtime stories and songs.

Recommended for tamariki aged 3+ with their caregivers.

• Motu-kairangi | Miramar Library — Tuesday 1 July, 2–2.30pm
• Te Awa-a-Taia | Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library — Thursday 3 July, 2–2.30pm
• Ngā Puna Waiora | Newtown Library — Tuesday 8 July, 2–2.30pm
• Tapu Te Ranga | Island Bay Library — Friday 11 July, 2–2.30pm

Matariki Mahi Toi: Star Art

Come along to the library to learn a little bit about Matariki and Puanga, before letting your creativity take flight! Our librarians will guide you through making some Matariki and Puanga inspired star crafts to bring some sparkle into the winter nights.

For tamariki aged 5+ with their caregivers.

• Te Awe Library — Wednesday 2 July, 2–3pm
• Te Awe Library — Tuesday 8 July, 10.30–11.30am

Matariki me Puanga LEGO® Creations

Let’s build – let’s explore – let’s create! Come along to your library to create your LEGO® masterpiece. This session features a special themed challenge, to build something based on one of the whetū we celebrate at this time of year.

For tamariki aged 5+ with their caregivers.

• Te Awe Library — Tuesday 1 July, 10.30–11.30am
• Island Bay Community Centre — Thursday 3 July, 11.30am–1pm
• Te Awe Library — Saturday 5 July, 2–3pm
• Te Awe Library — Wednesday 9 July, 2–3pm
• Te Takapū o Patukawenga | Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library — Wednesday 9 July, 2–3pm
• Waitohi | Johnsonville Library — Thursday 10 July, 2–3pm
• Te Awe Library — Saturday 12 July, 2–3pm
• Te Awe Library — Sunday 13 July, 11am–12noon

Whānau Film

Bring your whānau together this Matariki and join us for a family movie! Movies chosen will have a G or PG rating and are suitable for families with young children. Contact your library to find out which movie is screening.

This family-friendly event is suitable for children of all ages accompanied by their caregivers.

• Tawa Community Centre — Thursday 3 July, 2.15pm
• Waitohi | Johnsonville Library — Sunday 6 July, 1.30pm
• Tawa Community Centre — Thursday 10 July, 2.15pm

Make Your Own Show with Wellington Youth Improv

A silly, fun, and hugely interactive comedy show for tamariki aged 3–13. Wellington's funniest teens are here to entertain you with a series of scenes that they create on the spot - no scripts, no plan, just your suggestions and their wit!

Join us to experience the fun that is improv comedy, with local young performers!

• Waitohi | Johnsonville Library — Thursday 3 July, 10.30–11.30am

Animals in Winter: Fun Science with Author Erin Willson

Join author, educator, and lifelong wonderer Erin Willson for a lively, hands-on session all about how animals survive winter—here in Aotearoa and across the world!

From hibernating bears to frozen wētā, kids will explore the wild world of winter through books, games and science—including a hands-on game created by Erin just for this session.

Perfect for ages 3–11 with their caregivers.

• Te Takapū o Patukawenga | Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library — Thursday 10 July, 10.30–11.30am
• Te Māhanga | Karori Library — Thursday 10 July, 2–3pm

Retro Gaming: Commander Keen Drop-in Session

Defend Earth from alien threats and travel the galaxy in your home-made spaceship!

Drop-in to the library and enter a virtual time machine as you dive into the 1990s classic MS-DOS game Commander Keen.

This session is for rangatahi aged 8+. Those under 14 must be accompanied by a caregiver.

• Te Takapū o Patukawenga | Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library — Monday 7 July, 2–3pm

LEGO® Time

Come down to the community centre and get creative in these free-build sessions with our extensive LEGO® collections. Builders of all ages and experience levels are welcome to get stuck in!

Recommended for ages 5-105. Children under the age of 14 should be accompanied by a caregiver.

• Tawa Community Centre — Tuesday 1 July, 2–3pm
• Tawa Community Centre — Tuesday 8 July, 2–3pm

Family Fun Games Morning

Join the community in playing board games, participating in jigsaws and savouring a BBQ sausie.

• Churton Park Community Centre — Friday 4 July, 9am–12noon

Baby Rock and Rhyme: Matariki Special

A fun and educational programme for parents and carers to interact with their babies through songs and stories. Rhyme, rhythm, repetition and music are the building blocks of language for babies. At these special Matariki sessions we will be enjoying stories and songs all about Matariki and the night sky. Kuhu mai, join us!

Recommended for tamariki aged 0 – 2 years with their caregivers.

Visit our event calendar to find a Baby Rock and Rhyme: Matariki Special session near you.

Nohinohi Reorua: Pakiwaitara Matariki

Whakarongo mai, tamariki mā, pākeke mā! Join us at your local whare pukapuka for these special bilingual storytimes in celebration of Matariki!

He korero paki i te reo Māori me te reo Pākehā ēnei; these stories are in te reo Māori and English. All are welcome.

Recommended for tamariki aged 2+ with their caregivers.

Visit our event calendar to find a Nohinohi Reorua: Pakiwaitara Matariki session near you.

Pakiwaitara Matariki

Come along and celebrate Matariki at your local whare pukapuka, or library, with Matariki-themed stories and waiata with our librarians.

He korero paki i te reo Pākehā ēnei; these stories are mainly in English, but we’re looking forward to sharing some kupu and waiata in te reo Māori as well. Our storytimes are family-friendly and fun for all ages.

Recommended for tamariki aged 2+ with their caregivers.

Visit our event calendar to find a Pakiwaitara Matariki session near you.