Mānawatia a Matariki from Book Hero!

Here at Book Hero it's always go, go, go, and so any invitation to slow down, take stock, and give thanks is so incredibly important. We wanted to share some of the amazing resources and pukapuka (books) that we have in stock which are perfect for celebrating Matariki and learning more about it as a whānau, with friends or in community with others in the classroom or elsewhere.

Matariki is a special time of year for all New Zealanders. It's marked by the time of the year where the Pleides (a cluster of stars) become visible in the mid-winter night sky and signify the start of the New Year for Māori. The invitation at Matariki is to spend time with whānau and friends, and together to remember those who have passed, celebrate that which we have in the present, and take a chance to plan together for the future. 

You can find out more here about Matariki if you're interested in learning more, and check out our Matariki collection online for ideas and inspiration for your tamariki.There is a wonderful range of interactive activity books, board games, magnets, stickers, and more that are perfect for engaging everyone in this time of year (and ideal for teachers too!). 

Books can be such a great entry point into learning more about a holiday that is so much more than just a day off work or school. There are some amazing pukapuka (books) out there for learning about Matariki with young ones, and sharing in stories the meaning and background of Matariki.

1. Matariki Around the World is a beautiful book about how this cluster of stars is important not just here in the Southern Hemisphere, but across many different cultures.
2. Matariki by Gavin Bishop is a striking board book perfect for introducing tamariki to each star in the cluster.
3. Little Kiwi's Matariki is a beloved storybook about Little Kiwi waking from her slumber and needing to find her friends for Matariki, whilst Flit the Fantail and the Matariki Map is another lovely storybook about being guided by the twinkling stars in the sky.
4. The Seven Kites of Matariki is a picture book with enchanting artwork, centered on the story of Ururangi, one of the seven sisters.
5. Matariki: The Star of the Year is a great resource for older children and adults, exploring the traditions and importance associated with this time of the year. The entire book is based around interviews with Māori experts, and the combination of Māori astronomy and tradition brings a wealth of knowledge to anyone wanting to know a bit more.
6. Miriama Kamo has a range of amazing picture books that focus in on two of the stars at a time, as well as The Stolen Stars of Matariki which is about an adventure to rescue the stars while Sam and Te Rerehua are staying with their Grandma and Poua.

Matariki takes place over a period of time, rather than just one single day, and it's a unique taonga for us here in Aotearoa, a chance to acknolwedge Te Ao Māori and create our own special rituals and traditions in connection to Matariki.

I've heard of a family starting a tradition of spending a day together crafting, a friend group who gets together over a big shared meal to share kai and share what they are grateful for, and when I used to work at Auckland Zoo we would take the chance to remember all the amazing animals that had passed in the year before. It can be nice to start small, like a particular picture book your share each year at this time, or a prompt for you to reflect. We've included possible discussion starters that could be used around the dinner table, or while in a quiet cafe with a journal!

Matariki Hunga Nui (Remembering the Past)

What is a loss or challenge that you have faced in the last year, and how do you think you have grown because of it?

Are there any people or pets you have had to say goodbye to in the past year? What is a fond memory you would like to share of them?

Matariki Ahunga Nui (Celebrating the Present)

What is something that you feel grateful for today? 

What is a recent accomplishment that you can take a moment to celebrate and feel proud of?

Matariki Manako Nui (Planning for the Future)

What is an intention you have for the time ahead?

In 1 year's time, what would I like to be able to look back on and celebrate?

If you have a particular way that you celebrate Matariki, we would love to hear about it! And if one of your own intentions or goals is to learn more te reo, we have some amazing puka puka for that too!

 Whatever you do, whether it's simply picking up a book, having a special meal, or taking a moment to reflect in a journal - we wish you all the best for the year ahead. Here at Book Hero we are feeling ALL the gratitude for the support every one of our customers give us, and so excited for what is to come in the time ahead. 

In Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) this long weekend? Come and pay a visit in store! You can browse our Matariki collection in person whilst the tamariki create their own wish bookmark, and join in with a little Matariki scavenger hunt! We're open on Friday from 10am-2pm, and then Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am-5pm!