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🟥ESOL: Matariki – A Special Celebration in New Zealand


🌟 Matariki – Honouring the Past, Welcoming the Future (B2 Lesson)

🟥 Warmer Discussion (Pair/Group Work)

  1. What do you already know about Matariki?
  2. Why do you think some cultures celebrate the new year in winter instead of January?
  3. What role do stars or the sky play in celebrations or traditions in your culture?

🟧 Reading: Matariki – A New Year Rooted in the Stars

Matariki refers to a cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises during the winter months in Aotearoa New Zealand and signals the Māori New Year.

Matariki is more than an astronomical event; it is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal. Traditionally, Māori communities would observe Matariki to honour ancestors, celebrate the harvest, and plan for the year ahead.

Today, both Māori and non-Māori communities across New Zealand mark Matariki with public events, shared meals, storytelling, waiata (songs), haka, and moments of remembrance.

The appearance and brightness of the stars were historically used to predict the success of the coming season’s crops. A clear, bright Matariki sky was a sign of abundance.

In 2022, Matariki became an official public holiday in New Zealand—a moment many saw as a long-overdue recognition of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) and a national move toward bicultural understanding.

🟨 Vocabulary – Match or Use in Context

A. Match the terms to their definitions:

  1. Cluster
  2. Abundance
  3. Mātauranga Māori
  4. Harvest
  5. Remembrance
  6. Bicultural
  7. Predict
  8. Ancestor

a. A person from your family who lived in the past
b. Collecting crops at the end of the growing season
c. Traditional Māori knowledge
d. The act of remembering and honouring someone
e. Involving two cultures
f. A group of similar things close together
g. More than enough of something
h. To guess what might happen in the future

🟩 Comprehension Questions (Short & Long Answers)

  1. What is the significance of the Matariki star cluster in Māori culture?
  2. Why is the brightness of the stars important?
  3. In what ways is Matariki celebrated in modern New Zealand?
  4. Why was the introduction of a public holiday for Matariki important?
  5. How does Matariki connect the past, present, and future?

🟦 True / False / Explain

Write True, False, or Not Given. If False, correct it. If Not Given, explain why.

  1. Matariki is celebrated in December each year.
  2. The stars were used to decide when to plant and harvest crops.
  3. Only Māori people are allowed to celebrate Matariki.
  4. Matariki became a public holiday before 2010.
  5. Matariki has both spiritual and cultural significance.

🟪 Grammar Focus (Upper-Intermediate)

A. Passive Voice

Rewrite the active sentences using the passive voice.

  1. Māori communities used the stars to forecast the season.
    → The stars...
  2. People celebrate Matariki with singing and storytelling.
    → Matariki...
  3. The government introduced Matariki as a public holiday.
    → Matariki...

B. Relative Clauses

Join the two sentences using who, which, that, where, or whose.

  1. The stars are visible in winter. They represent renewal.
  2. The holiday was announced in 2022. It honours Māori culture.
  3. I have a friend. His family always celebrates Matariki.

C. Linking Expressions

Fill in the blanks with: Although / However / Therefore / As a result / In contrast

  1. Matariki was not always recognised as a public holiday. __________, many people celebrated it privately.
  2. __________ the event is based on Māori customs, it is celebrated by people of all backgrounds.
  3. The sky was bright and clear. __________, people expected a good planting season.

🟫 Speaking Prompts (Small Groups or Pairs)

  1. Have you ever taken part in a celebration based on the moon or stars?
  2. Why is it important to celebrate or remember ancestors?
  3. In your country, is there a time when people think about the past and plan for the future?
  4. Do you think New Zealand should have more cultural holidays like Matariki? Why or why not?

🟧 Writing Task: Matariki and Me (150–200 words)

Write a short reflective piece. Use paragraphs and linking words.

Choose ONE of the following prompts:

  • Describe how you would celebrate Matariki in a meaningful way.
  • Reflect on the importance of remembering your ancestors or family history.
  • Compare Matariki with another New Year or harvest festival from your country.

🟪 Extension Tasks / Homework (Optional)

Watch and Reflect:
🌌 Matariki Explained – NZ Story (B2)
📝 After watching, write 5 key facts you learned and 1 question you still have.

Creative Task:
Design a poster or short presentation explaining Matariki to new immigrants to New Zealand. Include images, facts, and what it means personally to you.



Matariki – A Special Celebration in New Zealand (A2)

🟥 Warmer: What is do you know about Matariki?

 🟧 Reading: What is Matariki?

Matariki is a group of stars in the sky. It is also the Māori name for the Māori New Year in New Zealand.
Matariki comes in the winter, in June or July. When people see the Matariki stars, they know the New Year is starting.
Māori people use this time to:
Remember their family who have died
Say thank you for the food from the land
Spend time with family and friends
Think about the new year
People can eat together, sing, tell stories, and do Māori customs and traditions.

Vocabulary – Match the words with the meanings.

Write the letter next to the number.

1.Matariki
2.Pleiades
3.Lunar
4.Ceremony
5.Ancestor

Meanings:

a) A special event or tradition
b) A group of stars
c) A person in your family from long ago
d) About the moon
e) The Māori New Year


Questions – Read and Answer

1.What is Matariki?
→ 
2. When is Matariki?
→ 
3. Why is Matariki special?
→ 
4. What do people do at Matariki?
→ 
5. How do people remember family at Matariki?
→ 

                        
 True or False
Write “True” or “False”

Matariki is in summer. → 
Matariki is the Māori New Year. → 
The Pleiades is a group of stars. → 
People think about the past and the future at Matariki. → 
Only Māori people can celebrate Matariki. → 


 🟨Speaking: Ask and answer these questions
Have you seen the Matariki stars? Where?
Do you have special celebrations in your culture?
What is your favourite time of year? Why?
What do you do with your family at special times?

 🟩Grammar (A0–A2)

A. Fill in the blanks with is / are / am 

  1. Matariki ___ a Māori celebration.
  2. There ___ nine stars in the Matariki cluster.
  3. I ___ learning about Matariki at school.
  4. The stars ___ bright in the sky.
  5. My family and I ___ happy at Matariki time.

B. Circle the correct article (a / an / the) 

  1. Matariki is ___ (a / an / the) special time in New Zealand.
  2. ___ (A / An / The) star called Matariki is very important.
  3. We eat ___ (a / an / the) meal together to celebrate.

C. Choose the correct question word (What / When / Who) 

  1. ___ do people do during Matariki? – They eat, remember, and share.
  2. ___ is the Matariki star cluster? – In the winter sky.
  3. ___ celebrates Matariki in New Zealand? – Many people do.

D. Fill in the blanks with this / that / these / those 

  1. Look at ___ stars in the sky! (you can see them now)
  2. ___ holiday is very special. (you’re talking about it now)

E. Write there is or there are 

  1. ___ a new moon during Matariki.
  2. ___ seven visible stars in the sky.

 🟦Listening: 



Listen and write down what you learnt from this video in your notes

 🟪Activity: Word Search

Find these words:   
Matariki
Stars
Ancestor
Ancestors
Harvest
Ceremony
Lunar
Pleiades
New Year
M A T A R I K I T Z P
K L E S T P A N G C E
G O O H M A T R K A E
I D T P T S E E R W I
J W U M Q P A R I R C
F T A H R E P I E D A                                                                              
L N Y A D D T S O T P
L C E R E M O N Y O M
I L I D S A H H G M Y
L U N A R W I S S L A
T E O X W S C F M A P
H T A A N C E S T O R
N M Y Y E A R N C F O



⬛Homework: Writing – Your Matariki
Write 4–5 sentences about how you would celebrate Matariki.
Example:
I will eat dinner with my family.
We will look at the stars.
We will say thank you for the food.
We will sing and tell stories. 
I will feel happy.
         

Answer Key:

Vocabulary – Match the words with the meanings.

1.e
2.b
3.d
4.a
5.c


Questions – Read and Answer 

1.What is Matariki?
→ Matariki - A Special Celebration in New Zealand
2. When is Matariki?
→ In June or July.
3. Why is Matariki special?
→ It is a time to remember, give thanks, and plan for the new year.
4. What do people do at Matariki?
→ They eat, sing, tell stories, and do Māori traditions.
5. How do people remember family at Matariki?
→ They think about and talk about family who have died.

                       
True or False

1. Matariki is in summer. → False
2. Matariki is the Māori New Year. → True
3. The Pleiades is a group of stars. → True
4. People think about the past and the future at Matariki. → True
5. Only Māori people can celebrate Matariki. → False








Worksheet


🟧 Reading: What is Matariki?                                    

Matariki is a group of stars in the sky. It is also the Māori name for the Māori New Year in New Zealand.
Matariki comes in the winter, in June or July. When people see the Matariki stars, they know the New Year is starting.
Māori people use this time to:
Remember their family who have died
Say thank you for the food from the land
Spend time with family and friends
Think about the new year
People can eat together, sing, tell stories, and do Māori customs and traditions.

Vocabulary – Match the words with the meanings.

Write the letter next to the number.

1.Matariki
2.Pleiades
3.Lunar
4.Ceremony
5.Ancestor

Meanings:

a) A special event or tradition
b) A group of stars
c) A person in your family from long ago
d) About the moon
e) The Māori New Year

Questions – Read and Answer

1.What is Matariki? → 
2. When is Matariki?→ 
3. Why is Matariki special?→ 
4. What do people do at Matariki?→ 
5. How do people remember family at Matariki?→ 

True or False:

Matariki is in summer. → 
Matariki is the Māori New Year. → 
The Pleiades is a group of stars. → 
People think about the past and the future at Matariki. → 
Only Māori people can celebrate Matariki. → 

 🟨Speaking: Ask and answer these questions

Have you seen the Matariki stars? Where?
Do you have special celebrations in your culture?
What is your favourite time of year? Why?
What do you do with your family at special times?

 🟩Grammar🌟(A0–A2)

A. Fill in the blanks with is / are / am 

  1. Matariki ___ a Māori celebration.
  2. There ___ nine stars in the Matariki cluster.
  3. I ___ learning about Matariki at school.
  4. The stars ___ bright in the sky.
  5. My family and I ___ happy at Matariki time.

B. Circle the correct article (a / an / the) 

  1. Matariki is ___ (a / an / the) special time in New Zealand.
  2. ___ (A / An / The) star called Matariki is very important.
  3. We eat ___ (a / an / the) meal together to celebrate.

C. Choose the correct question word (What / When / Who) 

  1. ___ do people do during Matariki? – They eat, remember, and share.
  2. ___ is the Matariki star cluster? – In the winter sky.
  3. ___ celebrates Matariki in New Zealand? – Many people do.

D. Fill in the blanks with this / that / these / those 

  1. Look at ___ stars in the sky! (you can see them now)
  2. ___ holiday is very special. (you’re talking about it now)

E. Write there is or there are 

  1. ___ a new moon during Matariki.
  2. ___ seven visible stars in the sky.
⬛Homework: Writing – Your Matariki
Write 4–5 sentences about how you would celebrate Matariki.
Example:
I will eat dinner with my family.
We will look at the stars.
We will say thank you for the food.



 
        🟥 🟧 🟨  🟩🤸‍♂️🟦 🟪 ⬛




🌌 Matariki – A Special Celebration in New Zealand (A2–B1)


🟥 Warmer

What do you know about Matariki?
Have you ever seen the Matariki stars? Where?

🟧 Reading: What is Matariki?

Matariki is a cluster of stars that can be seen in the winter sky in Aotearoa New Zealand. The name "Matariki" is also used for the Māori New Year.

Matariki appears in June or July. When the stars are seen, a new year is believed to have begun. Traditionally, this was an important time for the Māori people.

At Matariki, people remember loved ones who have passed away. Thanks are given for the food that has been harvested. Time is spent with whānau (family) and friends. Plans are made for the new year ahead.

During Matariki, special foods are prepared and shared. Stories are told, songs are sung, and Māori customs are practised.

Now, Matariki is celebrated by many people in Aotearoa. A public holiday was created to recognise this important time.

📘 

Write the letter next to the number.

1. Matariki

2. Pleiades

3. Lunar

4. Ceremony

5. Ancestor


Meanings:
a) A special event or tradition
b) A group of stars
c) A person in your family from long ago
d) Related to the moon
e) The Māori New Year

📖 Questions – Read and Answer (with passive voice prompts)

Use full sentences. Try using the passive voice where you can.

1. What is Matariki?
→ Matariki is known as...


2. When is Matariki?
→ Matariki is celebrated in...


3. Why is Matariki special?
→ Matariki is remembered as a time to...


4. What do people do at Matariki?
→ Special foods are eaten, songs are sung, and stories are told.


5. How are families remembered at Matariki?
→ Family members who have passed away are remembered.


✅ True or False

1. Matariki is in summer. →


2. Matariki is the Māori New Year. →


3. The Pleiades is a group of stars. →


4. People think about the past and the future at Matariki. →


5. Only Māori people can celebrate Matariki. →


🟨 Speaking Practice – Ask and Answer

1. Have Matariki stars ever been seen by you?


2. Is a special celebration held in your culture?


3. What is your favourite time of year? Why?


4. What is usually done with your family on holidays?


🟩 Grammar Focus: Passive Voice (Present Simple)

Use: am / is / are + past participle

A. Complete the sentences with the correct passive form:

1. Matariki __________ (celebrate) in June or July.


2. Special food __________ (cook) and __________ (share) during Matariki.


3. Old stories __________ (tell) around the fire.


4. Songs __________ (sing) in te reo Māori.


5. The stars __________ (see) early in the morning.


B. Change the active sentences to passive voice:

1. People celebrate Matariki every year.
→ Matariki ____________________________.


2. Māori tell stories during Matariki.
→ Stories ____________________________.


3. Families share a big meal.
→ A big meal ____________________________.


4. They remember ancestors.
→ Ancestors ____________________________.


🟦 Listening

🎧 Watch these videos: The Story of Matariki
✍🏼 Write down three things that are done during Matariki using the passive voice.
Example: “Songs are sung. A meal is shared.”


 🟪Activity: Word Search

Find these words:   
Matariki
Stars
Ancestor
Ancestors
Harvest
Ceremony
Lunar
Pleiades
New Year

M A T A R I K I T Z P
K L E S T P A N G C E
G O O H M A T R K A E
I D T P T S E E R W I
J W U M Q P A R I R C
F T A H R E P I E D A                                                                              
L N Y A D D T S O T P
L C E R E M O N Y O M
I L I D S A H H G M Y
L U N A R W I S S L A
T E O X W S C F M A P
H T A A N C E S T O R
N M Y Y E A R N C F O



🟪 Creative Activity:

🎨 How to make an easy 8-point Matariki Star
While you watch, write 3 steps in the passive voice.
Example: “Paper is folded. A star is created.”


⬛ Homework – Writing Task:

Write 4–5 sentences about Matariki using the passive voice.
Try to use ideas from the reading and video.

Example:

A special dinner is prepared.

Stories are told around the table.

The stars are looked at in the morning.

Time is spent with my family.

Thanks are given for the harvest.


Absolutely! Here's a full Answer Key for both the A2 lesson (original) and the updated A2–B1 passive voice lesson at the bottom of your materials.

✅ Answer Key: Original A2 Lesson

📘 Vocabulary – Match the words with the meanings

  1. e
  2. b
  3. d
  4. a
  5. c

📖 Questions – Read and Answer

  1. Matariki is the Māori New Year.
  2. It is in June or July.
  3. It is a time to remember, give thanks, and plan for the new year.
  4. People eat, sing, tell stories, and do Māori traditions.
  5. People remember family who have died.

✅ True or False

  1. False – Matariki is in winter.
  2. True
  3. True
  4. True
  5. False – Everyone can celebrate Matariki.

🟩 Grammar

A. is / are / am

  1. is
  2. are
  3. am
  4. are
  5. are

B. a / an / the

  1. a
  2. The
  3. a

C. What / When / Who

  1. What
  2. When
  3. Who

D. this / that / these / those

  1. these
  2. this

E. there is / there are

  1. There is
  2. There are

✅ Answer Key: A2–B1 Lesson

📘 Vocabulary – Match the words with the meanings

  1. e
  2. b
  3. d
  4. a
  5. c

📖 Questions – Suggested Passive Voice Answers

  1. Matariki is known as the Māori New Year.
  2. Matariki is celebrated in June or July.
  3. Matariki is remembered as a time to reflect and give thanks.
  4. Special foods are eaten, stories are told, and songs are sung.
  5. Family members who have died are remembered.

✅ True or False

  1. False – Matariki is in winter, not summer.
  2. True
  3. True
  4. True
  5. False – Matariki can be celebrated by everyone.

🟩 Grammar

A. Passive Sentences

  1. is celebrated
  2. is cooked / is shared
  3. are told
  4. are sung
  5. are seen

B. Change to Passive

  1. Matariki is celebrated every year.
  2. Stories are told during Matariki.
  3. A big meal is shared.
  4. Ancestors are remembered.

🟦 Listening (Sample Passive Answers)

From "The Story of Matariki":

  • A new year is started.
  • Stars are watched.
  • Food is shared.

🟪 Craft Instructions (Passive Examples)

  • Paper is folded.
  • Shapes are cut out.
  • A star is created.

⬛ Homework (Sample Answers)

  • A big meal is made.
  • Thanks are given.
  • Stories are shared.
  • The stars are looked at.
  • Music is played with my family.



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