Richmond Library’s annual Matariki-themed Storytime was, again, a big hit with local preschoolers, drawing a strong turnout for its third year running.
Library assistant and co-host, Sophus Winter-Glasgow, said the event was all about celebrating and sharing Matariki with tamariki (children).
“Sometimes the tamariki already know some of the Matariki star names, even the long ones! It’s fun to share and learn together.”
The session featured songs and stories about Matariki and her eight stars, each linked to a different part of the natural world — from food and water to weather and remembrance.
Three-year-old Remi Bright-Stevens celebrates his birthday in July, born in 2021. Around the time of his birth, the Government - alongside the Matariki Advisory Group - announced Matariki as a public holiday.
Inspired by this, Remi was given the middle name ‘Waitī’, the fifth star in the Matariki cluster.
Waitī is connected to fresh water and the living creatures in rivers, streams, and lakes — a name that reflects a deep connection to te taiao (the natural world) and the cultural significance of Matariki.
Storytime runs at 10am every Wednesday during term time at Richmond Library and is a popular weekly event for tamariki aged 2 to 5.
