Matariki - Māori New Year

As the shortest day of winter approaches so to does the star constellation known as Matariki. Matariki is also known as many other names in different parts all over the world. In Tonga it is known as Mataliki, Samoan: Matali'i, Japanese: Subaru, Hawai'i: Makali'i, just to name a few. It's ancient astronomical name is  Pleiades.

In New Zealand Matariki symbolises the time for food crops to be harvested and storehouses to be stocked for the approaching winter. It is also the time to plan for the upcoming year, and is known as the Māori New Year. 

As with other common New Year traditions, it's a good time to reflect and think about what we might want to achieve in the year to come. So in Room 7 we each set goals to make plans to achieve. 

Many of us set our goals around Mathematics, and what stage we would like to achieve, while others set their goals around positive respectful behaviour and becoming active listeners. 

You can also see all our goals proudly displayed in the corridor outside Room 7, have a look and be sure to ask us how we are getting on with achieving them!