School students across Tāmaki Makaurau will experience the stories and significance of Matariki through a coordinated programme of education initiatives delivered by an alliance of the region’s leading cultural organisations.
The programmes are a joint initiative of Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), Te Whatu Stardome Observatory and Planetarium, and the Tātaki Auckland Unlimited-operated Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa, and Auckland Zoo.
The alliance reflects a new era of collaboration across the region’s cultural institutions, working together to deliver more connected experiences and tell a cohesive Tāmaki Makaurau story.
Through these Matariki education programmes, ākonga (students) will explore themes of remembrance, renewal and connection to te taiao (the natural world) grounded in te ao Māori (the Māori worldview).
Experiences range from a hands-on studio programme and exploration of how artworks carry stories at Auckland Art Gallery, to learning about the forest and streams of Te Wao Nui, Auckland Zoo’s Aotearoa New Zealand track, and reflecting on the past at Auckland Museum.
At MOTAT, students will learn about traditional Māori knowledge of hangarau (technology) used in hunting, planting, harvesting and preparing food, while at the New Zealand Maritime Museum they will explore ocean narratives inspired by Waitā and discover the rich marine life of Te Moana-nui-a Toi.
Te Whatu Stardome’s programme connects cultural and scientific perspectives, encouraging ākonga to care for their local areas and offering ideas on how to protect their awa (river), ngahere (forest), and moana (ocean), in line with the meanings of the Matariki stars.
Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor of Auckland says, “These programmes are a great example of what can be achieved when our cultural organisations work together. The alliance creates opportunities to share resources, strengthen storytelling, and deliver better outcomes for Aucklanders.
“It also reflects a clear direction from council to support a more coordinated and sustainable approach across our cultural institutions, so we can make the most of our investment and deliver meaningful experiences for our communities.”
Vincent Lipanovich, Director of New Zealand Maritime Museum and Partnerships for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says, “Working together as a cultural alliance allows us to create a richer learning journey for students. Each organisation brings something unique, but together we can offer a more connected understanding of Matariki and its relevance today.”
Julie Baker, Head of Education at MOTAT says: “Matariki is a time for sharing stories, reflecting, and looking ahead. Working alongside other cultural organisations means we can bring those stories to life in different ways, helping ākonga connect with Matariki in ways that are meaningful to them.”
The alliance of Tāmaki Makaurau’s leading cultural organisations has been established to strengthen collaboration and enable more coordinated programming, marketing and storytelling.
By working together, the organisations seek to deliver more efficient use of resources while creating accessible, engaging experiences that reflect the identity and diversity of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Programmes are available for early childhood through to secondary students, with bookings now open across participating organisations.