• The ‘Matariki ahunga nui’ practical activity (as described in Teacher Guidance attachment) will be incorporated into your teaching and learning programme, and will not itself be assessed. It will be used to support ākonga to complete the actual Assessment Activity. 
• The phrase ‘Matariki ahunga nui’ means ‘the great food piles of Matariki’, and alludes to how food and feasting together is one of the central principles of Matariki. Spend some time with your class learning about the whetū or stars within the Matariki cluster that are associated with the different environments that Māori traditionally gathered food from, and also about the types of food that were available in these environments. Ākonga could also find out about some traditional and contemporary Māori dishes that feature these foods, to give them some ideas for their own dishes. 
• As part of the teaching and learning programme, seek possibilities for ākonga to build their understanding of Matariki (and in particular the stars that are connected to food-gathering environments) in connection with iwi so that the experience and knowledge are localised.  
• Teachers could choose to use the ‘Matariki ahunga nui’ activity, provide a different activity that is of similar complexity and grounded in mātauranga, or co-create an activity with ākonga that reflects their contexts, interests, and aspirations. Alternatively, ākonga themselves could select from a range of activities they have engaged in during the teaching and learning programme to respond to this Assessment Activity. 

NOTE: Teachers need to ensure the cultural safety of all ākonga while discussing concepts such as hauora. Physical safety should also be considered in relation to food safety and allergens.