Matariki Herenga Waka

Ahoy, apprentice wayfinders — the museum has an adventure waiting for you.

These school holidays, tamariki get to step into the role of Pacific navigator in this hands-on journey through the stars and the sea. Start by building your very own cardboard waka, then set off through the museum on a voyage of discovery — tracking down the nine stars of Matariki and uncovering the knowledge each one holds.

What do the stars tell us about food, weather, family, and the ocean? Can you find Ururangi, the star of the winds? Is your crew ready for the voyage ahead?

Use the Te Toki star compass to navigate like the great ocean voyagers of the Pacific, and collect the star knowledge you'll need to complete your journey. It's part craft, part exploration, and entirely brilliant.

A perfect school holiday outing for curious young minds and the whānau who bring them.