Celebrating Matariki in the Garden: Honouring Tupu-ā-nuku with Our Tamariki

As the stars of Matariki rise in the winter sky, Aotearoa welcomes the Māori New Year—a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal.  Matariki provides a wonderful opportunity for connecting tamariki with the rhythms of nature, the wisdom of te ao Māori, and the joy of shared celebration. Your centre garden offers a meaningful way to make these connections.

Why the Garden?

The garden is a living classroom—full of wonder, learning, and life. In the garden, we reflect with tamariki on what we grew over Summer and Autumn. We consider how successful we were, and what learning we can take from any garden failures. As a time of renewal, we think ahead to the coming season. What seeds we want to sow and what plants we want to grow.

Gardening aligns perfectly with the values of Matariki, especially the themes of:

• Whenua (land) – Honouring Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) and our connection to the land.

• Whānau (family) – Working together to plant, harvest, and share kai (food).

• Māramatanga (enlightenment) – Learning about the seasons, stars, and sustainability.

Tupu-ā-nuku

In the pūrākau (story) of The Seven Daughters of Matariki, Tupu-ā-nuku is the star connected to all plants growing in cultivated ground. This includes growing kai (food), rongoā (medicinal plants), and (kākahu) clothing materials. Tupu means “to grow”. Tupu-ā-nuku spends her time with Paptūānuku tending the plants. She reminds us of the importance of nurturing the soil, planting with intention, and harvesting with gratitude. When we honour Tupu-ā-nuku, we are also honouring the māra (garden), the whenua (land), and the kai (food) that sustains us.

Garden-Based Activities for Matariki

Here are some enriching ways to bring Tupu-ā-nuku into your Matariki celebrations:

1. Planting for the New Year

   Matariki marks the Māori New Year—a perfect time to plant winter crops like garlic, broad beans, or leafy greens. Let tamariki get their hands in the soil and talk about how planting now is a way of preparing for the future.
   

2. Harvest and Share

   If your centre already has a garden, consider harvesting any remaining crops and using them in a shared kai. Even a small harvest of herbs or silver beet can be turned into a simple soup or salad that tamariki help prepare.

   
   

3. Plan your garden for the coming season

   Discuss with tamariki what they would like to grow next season and get them to draw a plan of the garden so you can mark out what you are going to plant and where they will grow.

   
   

4. Create a Tupu-ā-nuku Garden Corner

   Designate a special space in your garden or classroom to honour Tupu-ā-nuku. Include natural materials, drawings vegetables, and photos of tamariki gardening. You might even create a star-shaped garden bed!

   
   

5. Storytelling in the Garden

   Gather tamariki in the garden for pūrākau (stories) about Matariki and Tupu-ā-nuku. Use this time to reflect on the cycles of nature, the importance of caring for Papatūānuku, and the role of each star in the cluster.

   Some excellent books to read include:

   Daniel’s Matariki Feast by Rebecca Beyer and Linley Wellington – a story incorporating the garden into Matariki celebrations. The Seven Stars of Matariki by Toni Rolleston-Cummins – a retelling of a Matariki legend suitable for young tamariki Ngā Whetū Matariki i Whānakotia by Miriama Kamo – a bilingual Matariki story with strong links to values and whānau.

   
   

6. Art from the Earth

   Use natural materials from the garden—leaves, twigs, soil, and stones—to create art inspired by Tupu-ā-nuku. Encourage tamariki to make star shapes or representations of the vegetables they’ve planted or eaten.

Weaving Mātauranga Māori into Everyday Practice

Incorporating Tupu-ā-nuku into your Matariki celebrations is more than a one-off activity—it’s a way to deepen your centre’s connection to mātauranga Māori and to foster a sense of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) in tamariki. By engaging with the garden, children learn to respect the land, understand seasonal cycles, and appreciate the gifts of the earth.

As you celebrate Matariki this year, may your garden be a place of learning, reflection, and joy. May the spirit of Tupu-ā-nuku inspire your tamariki to grow strong roots in the earth and in their communities.