Winter in Aotearoa

Yesterday we celebrated Matariki at my youngest daughter school. Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars known as the Seven Sisters. In the northern hemisphere this group of stars is known as Pleiades. Matariki appears in Piripi/June, and marks the start of the Maori New Year. It is celebrated as a time of new beginnings, a time to pause and reflect on what has been and what is to come. Matariki marks the start of Winter in New Zealand.

At our preschools we have noticed other signs that Winter has arrived. A few days ago we had our first frost with the pond at Tawa Montessori having a thin layer of ice. The fruit trees have all but lost their leaves, the grass has stopped growing and the garden looks bare and empty.

The lambsear in our garden, usually a fervent grower, has slowed down, its silvery foliage is covered in dew or frost in the mornings, making it look even more silvery.

The chilren are always very excited to discover a frozen pond upon arrival in the morning. Touching and feeling the frost, the crispiness, coldness and wetness of it is a very different experience.

Throughout the year, the garden provided us with plenty of food. We have harvested carrots, beans, lettuce, herbs, courgettes, and tomatoes, to name a few. We have used these to make curry or soup. It is even more rewarding to make a big pot of soup when the cold and wetness keeps us more inside then we prefer. A nice hot cup of soup nourishes the body and the soul, especially when made with love!

Not all trees in New Zealand lose their leaves during Winter. Most native trees retain their leaves as our Winters are mild, but the poplars at the back of Tawa Montessori always lose their leaves during Winter.  Our new earth flag brings a bit of colour and vibrance to our garden!

We are lucky with our new bird feeder, both at Tawa Montessori and at Little Earth. With the colder weather there are less insects around and less berries and nectar, available. The birds are happily visiting our feeders. Our children love feeding the birds. They clean the bowl, fill it up with seeds and some fruit or some nectar water and place it on the feeder at the back of our garden. Then they retreat back to our deck, to sit down and watch the birds visiting, which is very rewarding!

For New Zealanders, Winter is the time to visit the mountains for winter sports with the north island volcanoes covered in snow and of course the Alps in the south island. It is the time to take your child up the mountain to introduce them to the snow, and, if lucky, a beautiful sunset at the end of the day!  Winter gives us new opportunities to introduce our children to the magic and wonder of another season!

- Anja