The Matariki Celebration

Aroha gazed up at the night sky dreamily.  She was looking for Matariki, or as you might know it, the Seven Sisters. Her finger reached out and pointed at the Maori legend. Her Grandpa patted her on the back gently then coughed twice before saying in a rusty old voice, "Well done Aroha, it is a good skill to have to be able to spot Matariki with just only your two whatu, (eyes.) Aroha felt proud of herself because in all of the 9 Matariki celebrations she has had with her family since she was born she had never been able to spot the Seven Sisters on her own before! Aroha jumped up off the lucious green grass and raced over to where her Mama and Papa were weaving different sized flax flowers and hanging them up on the tall trees surrounding her parents bach on the beach. Aroha's Grandma had heard the good news and she started walking over to the dirty blue and white bach with huge excited smile spread across her wrinkly face. "Come, the barbeque is ready," Grandma had said changing directions and walking back over to the barbeque. Aroha's parents let go of her waist and dropped her politely down on the ground so they could walk over to the feast. The family's dog, which was a Border Collie, had hear already smelt the beautiful smell of freshly cooked meat. Fern was lying down on the grass with her black and white tail wrapped around her waiting for delicious meat patties to drop down into her mouth without moving a muscle. Aroha ran over to the blooming Pohotakawa and lay down watching the fireworks burst in to bright colours right before her eyes. As Aroha dozed off to sleep she really thought that this was the best Matariki celebration ever!

By Nina