Kids & Teens Magazine of MAORI POSTAL AOTEAROA Issue 4, Jun 2018
MATARIKI - Maori New Year Matariki is a cluster of 7 stars known as the Pleiades. After the rise of Matariki, the first new moon launches the celebration of the Maori New Year. Matariki is often referred to as the Seven Sisters. It is also known as “Mata riki” (tiny eyes) and “Mata ariki” (eyes of the god), based on Maori legend. The 7 stars can be seen in late May/early June. Matariki begins this year on 15 June 2018. Matariki was a sign of the end of the hunting season and the beginning of the planting season. Nowadays, Matariki is seen as an important time to spend with whanau, and to celebrate the land which God has given us.
Matariki is a group of nga whetu (stars) you can see without needing a telescope. They are one of the closest groups of nga whetu to Whenua (Earth), but they are still a long, long way from us – 420 light years or more than 4 quadrillon kilometres away!! In the old days, Maori iwi (people) looked out for the Matariki nga whetu to appear in the rangi (sky) near the horizon. When they saw them, they knew it was time to start preparing their nga kari (gardens) to plant their crops. Matariki was also a time for the iwi to remember those that had gone before them – their tipuna. It symbolises beginnings and endings. Matariki was the start of the new year – a time to celebrate and remember those who had passed on. Matariki came at the end of the year’s harvesting when the kai (food) had been preserved and stored. So at Matariki, it is good to celebrate and give thanks for all that we have. In the Paipera Tapu (Bible), God talks about Matariki (also known as Pleiades). It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. Amos 5:8
Nga Whetu remind us how amazing God is – how enormous, powerful and forever God is. And yet this same God loves us and wants to be our hoa (friend). He loves each one of us so much more than we can ever imagine.
Can you find the words hidden in the grid below? HARVEST
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An over protective nestrian papa (father) is on the move again after his tama (son), Finny, has just settled in and started making friends. Finny isn’t happy about the change, but this time it can’t be avoided since the global flood is coming and they have to head towards the aaka (ark). Finny and a young grimp, Leah, get along for the most part and start exploring around the aaka. Panic sets in when they discover that they are not actually on the aaka, and it has taken off without them. After a while, their parents notice and try to convince the lion captain to turn the aaka around. Their request is denied and they decide to take matters into their own hands. Meanwhile, Leah and Finny are trying to find high ground and avoid becoming kai (food) for a couple of flying creatures that are pursuing them. Along the way, they meet some stragglers that didn’t make it onto the aaka either. Despite the grimp’s nature of being a loner, Leah learns the value of friendship, teamwork and forgiveness. All Creatures Big and Small is a cute movie with charming characters and silly humour.
Everyone is born with sin in them. Sin is something we do, say or think that doesn’t please God. “Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory.” Romans 3:23 God created us to talk with Him and live in a close relationship with Him, just like whanau. But because of sin, an invisible wall has been set up and stops us being close to God. Many people try to please God by doing good things or going to church. These things are good but unfortunately they can’t take away your sin. “When you sin, the pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life because of what Christ Jesus has done.” Romans 6:23
It’s all I’ve ever wanted!
It’s not much but it’s all I have. WE MUST EACH RECEIVE JESUS AS OUR OWN LORD AND SAVIOUR. Only when we have accepted Jesus, God’s gift, can we know and experience God’s wonderful plan for our lives. “Some people did accept Him. They believed in His name. He gave them the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 Receiving Jesus means turning to God and being sorry for our sin. It means trusting Jesus to come into our lives, to forgive our sin and making us what He wants us to be. We must make a decision to receive Jesus by faith. When I am in charge of my life, I do what I want to do. When Jesus is in charge of my life, He gives me strength to do what God wants me to do and to make right choices.
PARAOA PARAI Maori Fried Ingredients: 2 C Paraoa (flour) 1 T Tunu Paraoa (baking powder) ½ t Te Tote (salt) 1½ T Pata Pata (butter, melted) ½ C Wai (water, warm) ½ C Miraka (milk, room temp.) 4 C Hinu (oil, for frying) Method: 1. Combine paraoa, tunu paraoa and te tote in a bowl. Set aside. 2. Combine wai, miraka and pata pata in a big measuring cup. 3. Slowly add liquids to paraoa, and mix just until dough forms a ball. Knead in the bowl, about 10 times, to form a smooth ball that is not sticky. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let sit for about 30 minutes. 4. Heat hinu in a deep fryer or a very high pot. 5. Divide dough into approximately eight similar sized pieces. Pat on a floured board to form circles about 5-6 inches in diameter. Place dough, a piece at a time, into the hot hinu and cook for 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all dough is used.
NB : Use a whetu shaped cookie cutter to make Matariki themed paraoa parai.
Can you show Ana and Rangi the way to their whare?
Kakapo
“I know all the birds of the mountains …” Psalm 50:11
“E mohio ana ahau ki nga manu katoa o nga maunga …” Nga Waiata 50:11
Aotearoa Crossword
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Whero is for the blood Christ gave Kakariki is for the grass He made. Kowhai is for God’s light so bright Karaka is for prayers at night. Pango is for the sins we made Ma is for the grace He gave. Papura is for His hour of sorrow Mawhero is for His new tomorrow. A jar of jellybeans, colourful and sweet Is a prayer, a promise, a special treat. God, fill my heart and life With the resurrection promise of Jesus Christ.
Maori Postal Aotearoa P O Box 10, Whanganui Ph : (06) 343 7957 info.maoripostal@gmail.com www.maoripostal.co.nz
Nā, ka kawea mai ki a ia ētahi tamariki nonohi, kia pā ai ia ki a rātou; otirā, ka rīria e ngā ākonga te hunga nāna i kawe mai. Nō te kitenge ia o Ihu, ka riri, ka mea ki a rātou, “Tukua ngā tamaraki nonohi kia haere mai ki ahau, kaua hoki rātou e āraia atu; nō ngā pēnei hoki te rangatiratanga o te Atua. He pono tāku e mea nei ki a koutou, kit e kāhore e rite te tango a tētahi i te rangatiratanga o te Atua ki tā te tamaiti nohinohi, e kore ia e tomo ki roto.” Makā 10:13-16