Early for Matariki

The Te Miro School community came together last week for a mid-winter Matariki festival. Year 8 student Mahina King gives readers an account of the night.

Front left Millie Orr, front right Kate Mellow leading the waiata

Te Miro school marked its annual Matariki celebration and the event was vibrant and showcased the cultural spirit of our school.

The festival commenced with our school singing ‘Rise Up O Flame’ accompanied by our year eights lighting the brazier, followed by a heartfelt school karakia and the uplifting waiata ‘Purea Nei’.

Nico Roozenburg, left, and Max Ross with their grotto and lantern made out of Papier-mâché, leaves and woven wool

Learning group Rimu engaged everyone in the crowd with their Matariki and Solar System Kahoot, demonstrating the knowledge they learnt in class as they read out each question and answer.

Kowhai students mesmerised the audience with their impressive rakau skills, performing to the waiata ‘Tutira Mina Nga Iwi’

Rata captured the audience’s hearts (well they captured mine) with their adorable dance to ‘Savalivali’.

The whole kura performing under lights in the schools bush

The Festival reached its peak with the energetic Matariki Macarena, a favourite waiata amongst the children, then each class embarked on a lantern-lit journey through the bush to explore every hand-crafted grottos done by students in each classroom.

The night concluded with everyone gathering for kai in the community hall.

Reflecting on this event, it is clear that the Matariki Festival at Te Miro school is more than just an event, it’s a testament to our school’s vibrant community and spirit. This is surely one of my favourite school festivals even though it was cold.

Lily and Archie Bruce holding the lanterns they made to light the way through the bush.

More Recent News

Honey bees-ness tackled

Local body moves to protect residents from showers of bee poo are being given a tick of approval by Mountain View Honey’s beekeeper Lindy Bennett. Ōtorohanga District Council has included the guidance notes for beepers…

Call to stall all waste incineration

Don’t Burn Waipā spokesman Eoin Fitzpatrick wants a moratorium on waste to energy incineration pending a national analysis. Fitzpatrick made the appeal to the independent Board of Inquiry hearing Global Contracting Solutions application to build…

Ken’s celebration

A new artwork titled Ka pua, te Koowhai, designed in partnership with cancer patients, has been blessed in the radiation therapy unit of the Lomas Building at Waikato Hospital. The interactive kōwhai tree mural offers…

Maths help equals 1000

A charitable trust has hit a milestone, helping more than 1000 children from low-income families with maths. Eight years ago, Te Awamutu-based Mathematics for a Lifetime chairperson and founder Jean McKenzie recognised a need. McKenzie…