Up to 600 silver-tongued Waimea Intermediate School pupils flogged their Matariki-themed, innovative wares at a market on the kura (school) grounds on 12 June.
Matariki, which marks the Māori New Year on Saturday 20 June, shone in the kura’s classrooms this term.
Combined with enterprise and a desire to unite the community, the market was the pupil’s moment to let their Matariki learnings shine.
Items on offer included hāngī and kai, jewellery, handmade crocheted items, books, woodwork, clothing, and a Matariki art exhibition.
Organiser Karina Rako says the pupils’ knowledge of Matariki beyond it being a public holiday was crucial.
“It’s part of our culture, it’s part of our history… we’re hoping that the students have learnt some things about Matariki,” she says.
Matariki is a cluster containing hundreds of stars but only nine are visible to the naked eye, and each has a distinct story and significance in Māori culture.
Their reappearance is a time to honour those lost since the previous Matariki, gather together to give thanks for what we have and look forward to the promise of a new year. The Matariki Market was also a fundraiser for the school’s end-of-year celebrations.
