Matariki woven into holiday fun

"Kids who came when they were younger, they are coming back still, and now have their kids. It becomes part of people's everyday life." Ruth Tipene, librarian

Tales of the stars are illuminating friendships old and new at the Patikitiki Highbury library.

Librarian Ruth Tipene has been running school holiday classes for more than 10 years and loves the chance to chat with the children who come and take part from all over the city.

‘‘Kids who came when they were younger, they are coming back still, and now have their kids. It becomes part of people’s everyday life. You carry on the conversation you had with people last time.’’

The July school holidays are Matariki themed.

On Wednesday and Thursday small groups of children and adults sat around a table piled high with cut harakeke and wove bracelets, keeping snug and warm away from the storm.

‘‘Matariki is a time of hospitality, a time of coming together,’’ Tipene says.

On Friday, the library will host its third Matariki by Candlelight community night. The lights will be turned out in favour of an atmosphere kindled by tealight candles.

Visitors can enjoy a sausage sizzle, hash browns, soup, hot chocolate and blankets and beanbags, while they listen to stories of Matariki.

‘‘It’s like your koro is telling you the story of Matariki, it’s a lovely atmosphere in the dark, they have a hot chocolate or cup of soup and listen to matua Shane Ruwhiu. We’ll tell them where to find the Matariki stars, the legends, and we sing a song that’s got the words of the stars in it.’’

The evening starts at 6pm and, as with all the library’s school holiday events, it is free.

‘‘The people that come, we encourage them to lay the table, hand out the soups, somebody will butter the bread - so it’s a real family,’’ Tipene says.