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Monday, March 25, 2013

Matariki June 10, 2013




We are fortunate to celebrate Matariki in New Zealand - the Maori New Year in June 10 this year.  During the season of winter its darkness and cold, we can embrace a time to for new beginnings, to celebrate, to be grateful.

Matariki offers us the opportunity to celebrate light, love, nourishment, remembrance and family.

Below are some resources which may be helpful to our Playcentres in celebrating Matariki.

A downloadable booklet giving a concise outline of Matariki and how one might mark this event.  Written by the Maori Language Commission.

Celebrating Matariki - from the korero.co.nz website

Papamoa Playcentre will once again bring our families together to celebrate Matariki.  How do you celebrate Matariki at your centre?




Monday, March 18, 2013

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori: Maori Language Week 2013 July 1 - 7



Image borrowed from the Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori Facebook Page

Arohatia te Reo remains the major theme for Maori Language week, with a focus on
the ‘ingoa’ theme. 'Ingoa' , 'names' asks communities to consider important matters such as correct pronunciation, understanding the meaning of place-names, and using Māori names more often.

From the Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori Facebook page it is noted that  
  • ‘There’s a wealth of history that comes with our Māori names.’
  •  
  • ‘It’s 40 years since Māori Language Day began and we are unable to think of a workplace, school or location where Māori names are not used. We all use Māori place names and personal names on a daily basis.’
In 2013 Maori Language week will allow us the chance to improve our pronunciation and  reo Maori skills.

Helpful resources:


All ingoa/names have a story attached to them.  Maori place names, maori names, our children's names.  It is wonderful to share these stories and value them as we do stories which are read or handed down through time.

I will always remember the story behind the place name of "Tauriko".  Do you know it??

The story behind Matariki can be linked to similar stories across the world.  Knowing these stories builds our understanding and knowing of why and how events like Matariki are important.  Knowing how other cultures relate to the same phenomenon allows us to grow our identity while appreciating others.

My daughter is a social connector . While she does not share a session with Marama and her whanau at Playcentre, after their first meeting we discussed Marama being the name of the moon.  My daughter remembers her and has a special connection with her and a story associated with her name.

Our Playcentres communities are rich with resources to explore ingoa/names.  

  • our children's names - the special story behind their names
  • the legend of our centre location
  • the waiata/song of our area ie Tauranga Moana
  • Asking the name of another person in Maori : "Ko wai to ingoa?"
  • Giving our names to another person in Maori : "Ko Rochelle toku ingoa"
How might you celebrate ingoa at your Playcentre?  Please email or share your ideas in the comments below.  Your ideas will grow in the minds of others and motivate and inspire.


Kia Ora Rochelle

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Tauranga Moana : The Waiata of our People

"Tauranga Moana" is a beautiful waiata, the waiata of the people of the area, the iwi of Ngati Ranginui and Ngai Te Rangi.

You may be familiar with this waiata from your childhood or from your own children singing it at school.  This would be a wonderful waiata for our centres to learn and to unite us as our anthem.

Enjoy a short rendition by Stan Walker below.



Here is the waiata:

Tauranga moana
Mauao o maunga
Ngati Ranginui a he
Ngai-Te Rangi
E mihi nei e tau nei
Rapua e tau nei
Puritia e hine
Nga waawatatanga a nga tuupuna
I roto i tenei Ao hou
Puritia kia mau kia mau
Nga taonga
Maori e Maori e