Matariki 2025 Celebration at AEA: A Day of Culture, Creativity and Connection
27/06/2025
Matariki 2025 Celebration at AEA
19 June 2025 | ICL Education Centre
On Thursday 19 June, Auckland English Academy proudly hosted its annual Matariki celebration, bringing together students and staff from all courses for a day filled with learning, creativity, and cultural connection.
Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a time for reflection, unity, and new beginnings. To honour this special time, AEA organised three engaging workshops that allowed students to immerse themselves in the traditions and values of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Each student had the opportunity to participate in two out of the three rotating workshops:
🎵 Waiata Workshop – where students learned traditional Māori songs, including the well-known Tūtira mai ngā iwi, often sung in New Zealand schools.
🎨 Poi-Making Workshop – where participants crafted their own poi and learned how to use them in traditional performances.
🪁 Manu Tukutuku (Kite) Making Workshop – where students created colourful kites inspired by Māori designs and storytelling.
Each group spent one class period in their first workshop, before moving on to the second for the following session. The result was a campus alive with song, movement, colour, and cultural exchange.
Students during their Waiata workshop with teachers Deisy and Barry.
Students braiding yarns for poi cords during Poi-making workshop.
Teacher Javiera instructing how to make the knot for Poi cord.
Students colouring elements to decorate kites during the kite-making workshop.
Students working on their Poi during the Poi-making workshop.
Students working on the final touches during the kite-making workshop.
The celebration culminated in a lively gathering in the Student Lounge, where our Beginners class gave a spirited Ti Rākau (Māori stick game) performance, accompanied by Teacher Chris Orange on guitar. The room filled with applause as students showcased their newly made poi and kites, proudly displaying their work to peers and teachers alike.
The true highlight of the day came when all students and teachers joined together in harmony to sing Tūtira mai ngā iwi. Directed by Chris Orange and supported by teachers Deisy Meijll and Nita Yukseloglu on guitar, the performance created a powerful moment of unity and shared pride.
The celebration closed with a massive shared kai, featuring delicious food and drinks generously provided by the school and brought in by students and staff as part of the Matariki tradition of sharing. Laughter, music, and conversations flowed freely as students formed new friendships and deepened their connection to the AEA whānau.
AEA beginner students about to perform Ti Rākau.
AEA students gathered to see Ti Rākau performed by the beginner class.
AEA beginner students performing Ti Rākau.
Left to right: Teachers Chris, Nita and Deisy during waiata performance.
AEA students singing Tūtira mai ngā iwi.
Teacher Jacqui displaying kites made by students.
Through these hands-on workshops, performances, and shared experiences, students not only celebrated Matariki but also explored the rich Māori values associated with this time of year:
Aroha (love and respect), Whakamaumaharatanga (remembrance), Kotahitanga (unity), Tohatoha (sharing), Mana Taiao (environmental awareness), Hākari (feasting), Wānanga (discussion), Noho tahi (coming together), Atawhaitanga (kindness), Whakanui (celebration), and Tuakiritanga (identity).
It was a day to remember—filled with joy, cultural learning, and meaningful connection. Ngā mihi nui to all students, teachers, and staff who made this Matariki celebration so special.
