Every year when Matariki comes around, I try to cook something that actually means something — not just another Thursday night dinner, but something that ties us back…
Matariki — the Māori New Year — is one of the most significant events in the New Zealand calendar, and in our house it’s become one of our…
Have you been wondering how you can celebrate Matariki the Māori New Year at your place. Here’s 5 fresh ways to celebrate Matariki with your family.
With Matariki readying itself to re-enter our skies, I thought it was timely to make some lanterns. These upcycled tin can lanterns with LED lights are easy for…
I’ve been wanting to try out acrylic pours with my kids for a while now. So with Matariki about to enter our skies I thought it would be fun to make…
This little art project is super simple and easy to re-create. Your kids will love making this Matariki and Southern Lights-inspired art piece. You could start this project but…
Matariki is a great time of year to celebrate and learn more about Maori culture. One way we’re doing this in our family is through story books. My…
Last updated: 10 June 2026 The quick version Matariki 2026 is on Friday July 10th. Most schools and whānau celebrate the week before and after. The simplest crafts…
Want to bring more Te Reo Māori into everyday life with your kids and whānau? This guide shares 67 fun Māori words and phrases you can start using…
It was 9:14am on the first Monday of the July school holidays when I found myself hiding in the pantry, stress-eating a family block of Whittaker’s while my…
Learn how to set screen time boundaries for teens without constant fights, with clear rules, phone-free zones and scripts that build buy-in.
New Zealand School Holiday Dates 2026 & 2027 Planning family life around school terms just got easier. Below you’ll find the complete NZ school holiday dates for 2026…
This craft project is super flexible and loads of fun. I’ve tried it out with my own kids at home and with a bunch of 8 to 12-year-olds…
The origin of Guy Fawkes dates back to 1605 when a group of 12 men tried to blow up Britain’s House of Parliament. Guy Fawkes Night is an…
Māori names carry deep cultural significance — every name connects to te reo Māori, mythology, the natural world, or ancestral lineage. With the resurgence of te reo and…
Here is another great use for those old Pringle tubes you end up with. They are the perfect size for your felts, pens and coloured pencils. So why…
With the Māori new year Matariki soon upon us again, my thoughts turn to the sky and to the stars.
As gift ideas go for a baby shower, a native forest isn’t usually at the top of your go-to list – but if one charity gets its way,…
I’ve just discovered the joy of making my own DIY bottle necklace. The initial idea to make one was because I was thinking about creating some more craft…
With Matariki having just entered our skies the thoughts in our household have all been pointed toward space. So with thoughts focused on planets and stars, of course…
Art activities for preschoolers are as important to your child’s development as reading, writing and other physical development skills. We’ve pulled together 19 art activities for 3, 4…
I love wall hangings so decided since Matariki is just around the corner I would create a star wall hanging with little miss 3. I love creating with…
Perfect for festive occasions such as Christmas, birthdays or Matariki, this classic sugar cookie recipe is always a crowd pleaser. The thing I like most about these sugar…
What is play? Play is learning. Play is children’s life. Play is loving learning about life!
Is your 2-6 year old learning their months? Do you want them to learn them by seasons we experience in New Zealand? Then you might find this little…
Find a great collection of Māori art projects for kids that you can do in your whare (home) with your tamariki (children). You’ll love these awesome Māori-inspired projects,…
When I see the words ‘sustainable families’, I think of families that last the distance. What is the secret ingredient that helps some families last the distance? My…
Hey it’s Vanessa here, I decided to jump on the recycling band wagon and upcycled some used milk formula tins simply by painting them, and planting herbs in…
This time of year typically means rather changeable weather and often clear windy days where I live, so what better thing to make than a kite? And what…
Here’s a useful summary of festivals, events and public holidays in New Zealand as well as the 2014 and 2015 dates for each and what each holiday celebrates.