School Holidays - Te Manawa

Where

Te Manawa Community Hub, 11 Kohuhu Lane, Westgate, Auckland

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When

Wednesday 8 July 2026
10.30am-11.30am


Thursday 9 July 2026
10am-4pm

5.30pm-7pm


Monday 13 July 2026
10.30am-11.30am


Tuesday 14 July 2026
10.30am-11.30am

3pm-4pm


Wednesday 15 July 2026
10.30am-11.30am


Thursday 16 July 2026
2pm-4pm

6pm-7pm


Friday 17 July 2026
2pm-4pm


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Cost

Free

Contact

Te Manawa
temanawa@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
09 377 0209

SHP Matariki 2026 Our Auckland Cover Image_swvg5g5e.jpg

Come along and enjoy our fun school holiday activities! 

Sunday 5 July - Sunday 19 July | Scavenger Hunt and Colouring

Test your observation skills with a scavenger hunt around Te Whare Tapere/the Children’s Area - can you find all the whetū/stars?

Take some time to explore our pukapuka / book displays or to colour.

Sunday 5 July - Sunday 19 July | Manaaki Card Station

Matariki is a time to reflect, connect with whānau and set intentions for the future.

Share the aroha with a member of our community by decorating one of our card templates, to koha/donate along with our kai drive.

Pop your card in the collection kete at the Children’s Area desk. Or you might like to take the card home to share with someone in your whānau/family or neighbourhood.

Wednesday 8 July, 10.30am - 11.30am | Light Up the Night - Lantern Craft with Librarians

Learn about the themes of Matariki and light up the night with your own paper lantern.

Whether it's your first time celebrating Matariki or it's another wonderful year for your whānau/family, join our librarians for a reflective craft morning. For ages 5+.

Thursday 9 July, 5.30pm - 7pm | Kōwhaiwhai Stars with Whare Hau Ako

Our friends Cass and Tyler from Whare Hau Ako are back!

Nurturing hauora through shared knowledge, creativity and whanaungatanga. Bring along a friend or loved one. For ages 14+.

Bookings essential as spaces are limited.

Thursday 9 July, 10am - 4pm | Whare Whetū/Stardome Planetarium experience and Kāpehu Whetū/Star Compass

Calling all explorers! Join our friends from Te Toki Voyaging Trust for a Matariki celestial experience.

Learn about traditional Māori navigation with a round whāriki, made from an old sail of Haunui waka. Explore astronomy from a mātauranga Māori perspective, with a pop-up planetarium. For all the whānau/family.

Sessions begin each hour at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.

Monday 13 July, 10.30am - 11.30am | Matariki Sensory Play with Messy Rainbows

​This fun and engaging sensory session is designed for tamariki to explore, create and get wonderfully messy.

Connect with the themes of Matariki through hands-on play experiences. Ideal for children aged 5 years and under, but open to all whānau/families.

Tuesday 14 July, 10.30am - 11.30am | 3D Paper Landscapes with Librarians

​​Get crafty with librarians and create your own 3D paper landscapes!

Be inspired by Ngā Atua, ancestral deities in te ao Māori, or your pepeha, a way of introducing yourself through your connections with place, community and whakapapa/genealogy. Ideal for children aged 8 years and up.

Tuesday 14 July, 3pm - 4pm | Whetū Weaving with Jessie Atutolu-Tulisi

Join artist Jessie Atutolu-Tulisi for a whetū/star weaving workshop using yarn and recycled cardboard, inspired by Pasifika and Māori fibre arts.

Share yours with someone special this Matariki, or decorate your whare/home! Ideal for children aged 5 years and up, and their whānau/family.

Wednesday 15 July, 10.30am - 11.30am | Poi and Dance with Tiana, Hei Koha

Kanikani/dance at the library! Learn poi with creative artist and Māori contemporary dancer, Tiana from Hei Koha Limited. For all the whānau/family, but perfect for tamariki aged 5 years and up.

Bookings essential as spaces are limited.

Thursday 16 July, 6pm - 7pm | Matariki Storytime and Kanikani with Joann, Pasifika Beatz

Bring your whānau/family to the library for a special evening storytime with librarians, and our friend Joann from Pasifika Beatz, Whānau Āwhina Plunket.

Wear your pyjamas, bring along a teddy and snuggle in amongst the pukapuka/books. Ideal for children aged 3 years and up, but all whānau/families are welcome.

Friday 17 July, 2pm - 4pm | Marama Mood Boards - Collage Craft with Librarians

​Matariki has risen, it’s a new year!

Whether you want to manifest, need some inspo or are keen to create - come hang out with our librarians from Te Atatū and Te Manawa on this collaborative, craft activity for rangatahi. For ages 12 to 18.

Pānui/Please note: This programme is also offered at Te Atatū Peninsula Community Hub on Thursday 16 July, 2pm to 4pm.

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