

Make a video about why this item is special to you, and remember to always wear it at Matariki time. Give a favourite shirt (or other type of clothing) a new lease of life by making it your Matariki shirt. Maybe you could even make some takeaway treats for the trip home. Capture the moment with a photo to share online.

Maybe surprise them by inviting whānau that they haven’t seen for a while. Spoil them with one or two of their favourite dishes. Cook a special mealĬreate a special meal for someone significant. This is a modern take on a traditional idea, and a possible heirloom to pass on in the future. You could even store your family photos or videos on a digital backup (like a USB flash drive) and keep it in the waka huia. Make a treasure boxĬarve a waka huia waka huia a treasure box for storing feather headdresses Māori | noun, or make one out of cardboard to gift and store keepsakes like jewellery. Koha gift Māori | noun, who received it, and when and where it was given. Video the moment and record the story of the taonga, noting its materials, the process of making, and the maker. Taonga treasure Māori | noun like a heru heru ornamental comb Māori | noun to someone in your wider whānau. Make a video or write your thoughts in an email so that you can easily find and reflect on this each year at Matariki time. Tikanga traditions Māori | Noun in your whānau that you want to continue when you have your own children? Talk to a kaumatua kaumatua grandparent Māori | noun and find out why this tikanga is important to your whānau. This makes a great wedding gift for whānau and friends too. Take a photo or scan a copy to keep digitally.

Recycle a recipeĭoes your whānau have a special or favourite recipe? Find it and share it online! If your whānau has more than one, ask a parent or grandparent to help you make a recipe book of all your favourites. Hand-write the words and take a photo to make sure everyone uses the same kupu What’s a song that’s special to you? Sing and record it to be replayed in the future (just for fun or maybe for some other use). Tamariki young people Māori | noun are more likely to listen if it’s short and to the point – two to three minutes is best. Kuia grandmother Māori | noun, talking about something important that they want your whanau to know and pass on. Record an older person in your whanau, like your koro koro grandfather Māori | noun or kuia This is one type of digital keepsake that your whānau can share with one another and add to each year at Matariki time. Each Matariki, make a new video with a different person. Whānau family Māori | noun sharing an important message about what your whānau means to them (in 90 seconds or less).
