Matariki Herenga Waka – A Mooring Place for All Canoes

This term, our students embarked on a very special collaborative art project that brought together creativity, sustainability, remembrance, and community. Designed and led by our older students, and contributed to by students aged 5 to 13 years - as well as former students - our paper mâché tree became a true reflection of who we are as an art community.

Created with guidance from Art Teacher Eris Newson and the support of volunteers Robyn and Murray Parkinson, the project celebrated the theme "Matariki Herenga Waka – A Mooring Place for All Canoes."

Creating Something from the Past

One of the most meaningful aspects of this artwork is the way it was made. Every part of the installation was created using reused and recycled materials. A broom handle formed part of the structure, chicken wire helped shape the tree, and the paper mâché bark was made entirely from past student artworks.

By recycling artwork created by students who have moved on from our school, we were able to weave their stories – connection and contribution into the project. Their creativity became part of something new, creating a lasting connection between past and present students.

Our Creative Inspiration

As students explored the stories and traditions of Matariki, they were inspired by Te Waka o Ranginui (the Canoe of the Sky Father). This led them to reimagine traditional waka as colourful hot air balloons, carrying memories, hopes, and dreams into the sky.

Like pākau (kites) that have traditionally been flown during Matariki celebrations, these waka rise toward the heavens, symbolising:

• Reaching for the stars

• Connecting with ancestors

• Releasing the past and looking forward to the future

The Tree of Remembrance – Pōhutukawa

At the heart of the installation stands our tree, representing Pōhutukawa, the Matariki star associated with remembrance and those who have passed on.

The tree also symbolises a family tree - a shared history that connects us all. The bark, created from recycled paper mâché made from past student artworks, represents the ongoing connection between generations of students. Every layer tells a story and reminds us that our art community continues to grow while carrying its history with it.

This tree belongs to all of us.

Growth, Renewal, and Hope

In Māori tradition, planting trees during Matariki is a symbol of:

• Renewal

• Connection to the whenua (land)

• Hope for the future

Our project was also inspired by Tupuārangi, the star connected to forests, birds, and everything that grows above the ground. As our tree grew throughout the term, it became a symbol of nurturing creativity, learning from one another, and growing together as a community.

A Celebration of Community

What made this project truly special was the way students of all ages worked together. Older students took responsibility for planning, designing, and leading the construction process, while younger students eagerly contributed to the many layers of painting, paper mâché, and decoration. Even past students became part of the artwork through the recycled materials used to create it.

The result is more than just an art installation - it is a celebration of collaboration, inclusion, and belonging.

Celebrating Matariki

For our Matariki celebration, our Art class students added the finishing touch to their creation by wrapping the tree in strings of light, bringing it to life as a glowing symbol of remembrance, creativity, and community.

In a memorable moment of teamwork and pride, students carefully rolled the tree - mounted on its unique skateboard-style stand - down the road to Feilding Square, where it was "planted" as part of the opening celebrations for Matariki. It was wonderful for our students to see their hard work become part of a wider community event and to share their creation with others.

Since then, the tree has stood proudly in the Art Centre window as a feature of our Matariki display, inviting reflection and conversation from all who pass by. While it was created for this year's celebration, its journey is far from over. Like the stories and memories woven into its recycled paper mâché bark, the tree will continue to evolve and be reimagined for many creative projects in the years to come.

Matariki is a time for Unity, Inclusion, and Coming Together. It is an opportunity for people of all cultures and backgrounds to gather, reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future.

Our Matariki tree captures all of these ideas. Designed and led by our older students, shaped by the hands of younger students, and connected to former students through the recycled artworks used in its creation, it stands as a reminder that every person who contributes to our community helps shape its story.

✨ He waka eke noa – We are all in this together. ✨