Matariki Kites

Maori flew kites traditionally as a symbolic connection to Matariki. Kites were seen as a connection between the heavens and earth. We made our kites out of all sorts of things. We used flax, bamboo, sticks and tied them at the corners. We had to make a tail so that the kites balanced when they flew.

Porotaka By Liam, Mikaila and Mark

Porotaka

We read a Journal Story last week about how to make Porotaki. We had to get flax and harakeke sticks and Mrs Neumann was kindly given some special nails by Carters in Opua. 

We had to fold the flax around our fingers and then weave it,then we hammered it onto the harakeke stick with a special nail. When we blew on the windmill it spun around and around. They also spun around in the wind. We found out that they went around even faster when the  flax dried out a fortnight later. They were an amazing toy to play with especially because we mad them. Matariki Day is such a fun day!!

Putiputi -By Jack, Josh and Zayne

Putiputi

On Friday it was Matariki Day at school. It was an awesome day as we made so many things to celebrate the day. We made some putiputi out of flax. They are beautiful flowers. We put them in a vase in the classroom and some are on the display at the school office.

Mere and Isabella-Paige used two different types of flax to make their putiputi.

Purerehua by Lilli-Rose, Mere and Jade

Purerehua

We made curved purerehua. They were smooth and looked like diamonds and stars in the sky. WE made koru decorations on them. We had to use them carefully as they are sharp at the sides. They are a Maori musical instrument. The purerehua is named after it's buzzing sound (like that of a butterfly, insect or bird's wings) is a bull roarer.