Travels in New Zealand and beyond, going back to 2003!
We had our first public holiday to celebrate Matariki this year, a celebration of the Maori New Year and an occasion we have enjoyed marking for years, but this year we had a public holiday to really make the most of it! It’s a time for coming together, reflecting on the past year and planning…
What a term it’s been! With so many parts of the world unable to function as normal due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we feel extremely blessed to be able to live pretty much as normal, for now! Most of New Zealand, with the exception of Auckland, has had a pretty normal school term, but a…
It’s been a busy week in the household with the mid-year reports arriving home and parent-teacher interviews to coordinate for all three girls. Thankfully the reports have left us with no concerns and we’re really delighted at how our older two are doing; considering they had a good year or so gallivanting in the USA,…
Twinkling in the winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Maori New Year. Traditionally, it was a time for remembering the dead, and celebrating new life. In the 21st century, observing Matariki has become popular again. Heaven-bound kites, hot-air balloons and fireworks help mark the occasion. Credit: Full story by Paul Meredith…
Story Place at Te Papa has been heavily booked recently, with ‘Matariki’ being the topic of discovery. We were so blessed to have an ‘exclusive’ session with friends Marrisa and Bethany (out of luck, not connections). But then perhaps the Gods were blessing us for the numerous contributions Family Lee have made to Te Papa’s…
I remembered my camera today and the heaven’s blessed me with a rainbow! A wicked southerly was blowing at Lyall Bay and the kitesurfers braved the elements to get their thrills. The rain was cold as ice. The wildness of the weather added to the extreme excitement of watching this incredible sport in action. A…
Wellington City Gallery, set in Civic Square, is celebrating Matariki with a star making activity through till 30 June. Today we took the girls to create their own star for the cosmic galaxy. Charlotte flying her star: There are already some very creative stars on display and this activity is a wonderful opportunity for children…
It was a wild and windy southerly that greeted us this morning. We were all keyed up to participate in the various Matariki celebrations in Wellington City, but the comforts of home kept us from getting out of the door in time. We stayed put and listened to a ‘Celebrating Matariki CD’, which accompanied a…
Ma te wheturangi o Matariki, e tiaki mai, e manaaki mai i a koe, i a koutou ranei, mo te tau e taka mai ana. May the gentle light of Matariki guide and inspire you all this year. Traditionally, Maori were keen observers of the night sky, determining from the stars the time and seasons,…
‘In bygone days, Tohunga Maori (Maori wise men and women) with a special knowledge of the stars spent much time studying the stars. The movement of the nga whetu (the eternal shining ones) followed a seasonal cycle, as did the Earth below, so that their rising and setting marked the progression of the seasons. Certain…