Te Hīra o Ngā Tūpuna | Remembrance Korowai activity

Te Hīra o Ngā Tūpuna

A Printable Resource Honouring Pōhutukawa – Te Whetū o te Hunga Mate
2 x A4 Printable Pages | Instant Download

Te Hīra o Ngā Tūpuna (The shield of Our Ancestors) is a printable activity inspired by Pōhutukawa, the star of Matariki that holds space for remembrance of those who have passed.

This creative and reflective resource invites tamariki, whānau, and classrooms to honour their tūpuna (ancestors), express personal identity, and reflect on connections to one another through art.

How it Works:

Download and print your 2-page A4 resource, which includes:

• A tāniko korowai base

• Individual feather cut-outs to decorate and assemble into a collaborative piece

Ways to Use:

1. Honouring Loved Ones
Each person colours and decorates a feather in memory of a loved one or tūpuna, adding their name and something that represents who they were. Feathers are added to the korowai base to create a collective cloak of remembrance and love.

2. Celebrating Presence
Invite each person to design a feather that represents themselves – their mauri, personality, or story. When all feathers are combined, the korowai becomes a visual record of who was present at your Matariki celebration, hui, or gathering.

3. Building Whanaungatanga
Write the names of everyone present on slips of paper and draw one at random. Decorate a feather based on what you observe or admire about that person. A fun and meaningful way to build connection and aroha within the group.

Perfect For:

• Matariki learning and celebrations

• Kaupapa Māori grief and healing spaces

• Classroom community-building activities

• Whānau or kura events

• Creative art therapy and reflection

Let the feathers carry our stories, our people, and our hopes. Let the korowai wrap us in shared memory, identity, and love.
Honour the past. Acknowledge the present. Weave the future together.