Matariki celebrations have been plentiful at Central Kids Kihikihi Kindergarten. To mark the beginning of the Māori New Year we have had a programme packed full of events ranging from special visitors, star cookie baking, a remembrance tree, waiata, seedling planting and ephemeral art, followed by a special gathering with whānau for our hākari.

To begin our week of celebrating Steve Heke (one of our talented Dads) visited us to lead a drum session, Steve taught us a new Matariki waiata and how to keep a steady beat on the drums.

On 5^th July Sharon and Alan Holt presented their Matariki Singalong show. Tamariki joined in with the words and actions which accompany the singalong books. Sharon has a special connection with us at Kihikihi Kindergarten because this is where her books were born!

We held our celebration hākari on 8th July, and invited parents, grandparents and friends to  join us for a picnic lunch to celebrate Matariki. The children sang the waiata ‘Tu Tira Mai’ and ‘Matariki’ and we all enjoyed hot chips, a fluffy from the Red Cart coffee van, our famous ‘star cookies’ made by  Kihikihi Kindergarten children and spending time together. As a leaving gesture tamariki gifted to their family a parsley seedling to take home, grow and nurture.

‘X Man’ Paul Murray from Para Kore visited on 25^th July, we met his puppets and played games created from re used products while learning about sustainable practices. Paul checked on our worm farms and completed a waste audit.

Matariki 

Ako, Tupu, Tohatoha –  

Learn, grow, share.