Monday, 18 June 2018

On Sunday, 24 June NZ Parliament will celebrate Matariki with a day full of fun, engaging activities for the whole whānau.

“Parliament will acknowledge the rising of Matariki (the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades) which symbolises the start of a new year and a celebration of new life. Children will be able to learn about the seven stars of Matariki, and everyone will be able to hear the story of Matariki from Kura Moeahu, Parliament’s Tumu Whakarae,” said the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Highlights of the day include:

• Four art sessions, facilitated by Wellington artist Fifi Colston, at which children can make a Matariki headband, or a star torch, so they can shine the seven stars of Matariki on their wall.

• Three story time sessions at which children can hear the story of Matariki and learn a special karakia and waiata.

A range of tours, including our popular ‘Kids in the House’ tour will also be running throughout the day and we are encouraging visitors to take a moment to reflect and leave a message of hope for the year to come on our ‘sky of stars’.

Bookings are required for all activities and tours. Please see the Parliament website for details.

The details:

Matariki at NZ Parliament
• Where: Main Entrance/Visitor Centre, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
• When: Sunday, 24 June 2018
• Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
• Bookings are required for the facilitated art workshops and the story time sessions. To book contact matariki@parliament.govt.nz with the number of children attending and the preferred session time.

• Please see the Parliament website for a schedule of tours. Bookings are essential.

ends

© Scoop Media