VOYCE in Kahungunu, Hawkes Bay wanted to celebrate Matariki by sharing stories of Te Ao Maori with our Tamariki/ Rangatahi. Matariki is the kupu (word) that refers to the Pleaides star cluster and signals the Maori New Year. It is an abbreviation of Ngā Mata o te Ariki (Eyes of God) which refers to the eyes of Tāwhirimātea, (the god of the wind and weather) For Maori, it is a time of reflection, remembrance, gratefulness, prosperity and new beginnings. This is what we wanted to share and gift to the Tamariki and Rangatahi.

VOYCE office was transformed and decorated by two care experienced kotiro with stars, “bonfires” made from cardboard and the “fire” made from crape paper. They also made homemade telescopes, ready for Story Night!

VOYCE began the night with a Karakia and opened with a round of introductions. We knew many of the Tamariki and Rangatahi that attended but we had four new young people engage with us. After that, we shared the Whakapapa of Matariki and what all the stars mean and the Tamariki being inquisitive like they are, had many questions. Some of which we had to use Whaea Google to source the answers.

We invited many Kuia, Kaumatua and Whanau to tell their Tipuna, Nga Atua stories and we were lucky enough to find one Kuia, who is a descendant of Pania of the reef to share the story of Pania. As you can imagine, this was an extraordinary experience for VOYCE and our Tamariki. The real attention grabber was the seaweed crown that this Kuia brought with her and passed around to our young people to try on. She also brought her flax korowai which all the tamariki wanted their photo taken with it on. The smiles and laughs among our small cluster of Tamariki were infectious.

The night ended with us all sharing kai, doing a tiktok or two of Matariki and we each reflected on what Matariki meant for us. By the end of this event, everyone who attended, including VOYCE staff, could name all nine stars!