Matariki / Nine Stars of Matariki Mobile
Nine Stars of Matariki Mobile
Children make a hanging mobile of the nine stars of the Matariki cluster, learning what each star looks after and writing a hope for the year on Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the wishing star.
How to run it
- Share a simple chart of the nine stars and what each one is connected to, such as fresh water, the ocean, rain, wind, food from the ground and the trees, wellbeing, those who have passed, and wishes for the year.
- Have each child cut nine stars from card, one larger for Matariki itself, and label each with its name and a small drawing of what it represents.
- Invite children to write a hope for the coming year on the Hiwa-i-te-rangi star.
- Thread the stars at different lengths from a paper plate or stick and hang them as a cluster.
- Mention that the same stars are called the Pleiades and that many Aboriginal nations have their own stories for them; use local First Nations resources if you want to share these rather than retelling them yourself.
You will need
- yellow, silver and white card
- star template
- scissors
- markers
- string or wool
- paper plates or sticks
- hole punch
- printed chart of the nine stars
Make it easier or harderYounger children can colour pre-cut stars with picture labels; older children can research one star and present it to the group.
SafetySupervise scissors and hole punches.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 4Children learn how Māori knowledge links the stars to seasons, food and people, connecting them to a culture of our region.
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