Monday 9 June, 2008

Matariki - Māori New Year

During Matariki we celebrate our unique place in the world. We give respect to the whenua on which we live, and admiration to our mother earth, Papatuanuku. Matariki is a time to learn about those who came before us: our history, our family, our bones.

Matariki signals growth. It's a time of change, a time to prepare and a time of action. It's a celebration of culture, language, spirit and people. Matariki is our Aotearoa Pacific New Year.

During June there will be celebrations all over Christchurch - see the Christchurch City Council website for more information. Christchurch City Libraries will also be at Ngā Hau e Wha Marae for a series of events from June 16 to 20. Read more about Ngā Hau e Wha's establishment and history.

Matariki events at your library

Christchurch City Libraries is proudly supporting Matariki with events throughout June.

Matariki Storytimes for preschoolers are on all month as well as star weaving and carving demonstrations. For those interested in learning about their whakapapa, try the session with Māori Reference Librarian Moata Tamaira on June 26. Learn to use library resources as tools for effective whakapapa research. After the presentation there will be computer access available for individuals to pursue self-directed research if desired.

26 June 2008, 6:00pm - 7:30pm at Central Library, meet in Ngā Pounamu Māori.
Event is FREE, bookings required

Teacher's resource for Matariki

Christchurch City Libraries has created a Matariki learning resource pack for teachers of pupils in Years 1 to 8. Full of practical examples and ideas, this resource can be used to incorporate Matariki into subjects such as art, dance, English, science, social science and social studies.

Download the Matariki learning resource pack (146Kb PDF).

Help test digital media products

OverDrive and NetLibrary are two digital media systems that allow the access and downloading of audio books, music, video and eBooks to your computer or laptop. Items can then be transferred to a CD player, MP3 player, Smart phone or pocket PC. Many audio titles can be burned to a CD to play in the car or at home.

Christchurch City Libraries are considering these products. Are you willing to give up an hour of your time to come into Central Library and play with these systems? You will be supported by your friendly library staff who can help you out if you get stuck and will give you a single movie ticket as a thank you for your time!

Trial times:

OverDrive: June 16 and 18 2-5pm
NetLibrary: July 7 and 8th 2-5pm

Contact:

Please contact Coleen Finnerty on: libraryserials@ccc.govt.nz if you would like to participate and a preferred date and time for your participation. An indication if you are happy to participate in future trials is also welcome!

We recommend: Matariki resources

Our online resources:

Learn more about Matariki and the traditions of kites, feasting and learning about whakapapa.
View our listing of Matariki events at libraries.
The Matariki night sky.
Matariki word search and crossword.
Guide to Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar from Te Ara.
The astronomical knowledge of the Maori : genuine and empirical : including data concerning their systems of astrogeny, astrolatry, and natural astrology, with notes on certain other natural phenomena by Elsdon Best, 1922
For Matariki 2007, Christchurch singer-songwriter Ariana Tikao released a beautiful waiata "Matariki" available as a free download on her myspace site.
Astronomy organisations from the CINCH database
The Canterbury Astronomy Society hosts regular open nights and one is scheduled for Friday, June 15.
Links to Christchurch sky charts and solar and lunar data from localeye
Traditional Māori rongoa, or remedies.
Tī Kōuka Whenua – our Māori heritage resource which includes maps and audio files about the unique heritage of Otautahi Christchurch.
For Year 1 to 8 students: Download the Matariki learning resource pack (146Kb PDF).
The story of the tukutuku panels in the central library
Māori rongoa, or remedies

From Tī Kōuka Whenua online resource:

Marae

Ngā Hau e Wha Marae
Ngāti Moki Marae - Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere
Ōnuku Marae - Banks Peninsula, Akaroa
Rāpaki Marae - Banks Peninsula
Rēhua Marae - Christchurch City
Tuahiwi Marae – North Canterbury
Tutehuarewa Marae – Banks Peninsula, Port Levy
Wairewa Marae - Banks Peninsula, Little River

Organisations

Pa Sites

Manuka (Pā near Tai Tapu)
Orua Paeroa – Nth New Brighton Pā site
Puari – Pā site in central ChCh
Waikakahi – Pā site at northern end of Kaitorete spit

Our Internet Gateway recommends:

Interactive Matariki web quests from Te Kete Ipurangi
Matariki sites that have astronomy and space links
Astronomy and science websites
Taati Arorangi – a guide to Maori astronomy
The Carter Observatory
The Mt John Observatory in Tekapo
Māori Language Commission backgrounder on matariki and a PDF booklet on Matariki from 2001.
Aotearoa Pacific New Year Matariki, a 2005 booklet produced by the Māori Language Commission.
Matariki: the Māori New Year - Libby Hakaraia’s book and a poster.
Background and information on Matariki from Te Ara, including audio and video resources.

Browse the resources in our libraries:

Matariki titles in our library catalogue.
Aotearoa Pacific New Year Matariki, celebrating Matariki with activities, recipes and family events.
Layer upon layer = whakapapa
Whakapapa : an introduction to Māori family history research
Te haurapa: an introduction to researching tribal histories and traditions
New Zealand Astronomy titles
Star guides and a star chart
Stars and galaxies through the Hubble telescope
How to be an astronaut for children

This week in Christchurch history

A handy feature for those keen to find out about local history is the Christchurch Chronology on the library website. Here’s a selection of what happened in Christchurch this week in history:

June 8, 1838 First French warship, the corvette “Heroine” (Captain J.B. Cecille) arrives in Akaroa.
June 8, 1966 New "Wahine", described as "the largest vehicular ferry in the world", begins on the Lyttelton-Wellington run.
June 10, 1868 William Wilson elected first Mayor of Christchurch.
June 10, 1935 John Drew and poet/typographer Dennis Glover founded Caxton Press to publish New Zealand literature. Most of the decade’s best writers were first published by the company.
June 12, 1848 “Kemp’s Deed” signed by Ngai Tahu giving the New Zealand Company control of land from Kaiapoi to Otago.

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