Source: Auckland Council
Celebrating Matariki and learning about the environment? Thanks to funding from Henderson-Massey Local Board that’s exactly how it was done out west!
Seven organisations received grants through partner organisation Community Waitākere for events to celebrate Matariki and the environment.
Community Waitākere Climate Activator, Sophie Barclay, says that the events were enjoyable and educational.
“We all have a role to play in fighting climate change. Matariki is the perfect time for us to pause and look back to traditional wisdom showing us how to live in a more interconnected way with the world around us, and to be respectful of that natural world.
“Each event was unique and celebrated Matariki, as well as creating an opportunity for hands-on learning, celebration and the opportunity for mātauranga māori (māori knowledge) to be shared and promoted.
“I want to thank the Henderson-Massey Local Board for helping fund the events, where nearly 1000 community members came together to celebrate Matariki.”
The events
In Massey, a Matariki Rongoā Workshop was held at the Massey Community Hub led by Rongoa Practitioner Kathie Pryor (Ngati Awa / Tuhoe). The group planted a variety of native and medicinal plants including koromiko, kawakawa, harakeke, lavender, peppermint, chamomile, thyme, and rosemary.
Matariki Rongoā Workshop held at Massey Community Hub
In Glendene, local organisation Ae Ka Taea e Koe (Yes You Can) hosted a Matariki Climate Action Amazing Race. Teams navigated around West Auckland using public transport, working out clues based on each of the stars in the matariki cluster. The final destination was the Rānui Community Centre where they celebrated with a communal kai and making their own planter boxes to take home.
Amazing race participants
Community DIY-ers, The ReCreators, also hosted an event, delivering a session on making your own home compost bokashi bins and wooden seed trays from ‘waste’ pallet wood.
Make your own home compost bokashi bin workshop
And funding was also awarded to Te Atatū Peninsula’s Matipō Primary School, where over 200 students, staff and whānau gathered under the stars to enjoy a Matariki Breakfast. Native trees were also planted as a climate action to remember those who had passed on during the year.
Matipo Primary School tree planting
The three other events were a Matariki Market showcasing local, sustainable products, a zero-waste school hangi feast at Freyberg Community School, and a gardening workshop at Triangle Teaching Garden about the maramataka (māori lunar calendar).
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