Join Laura for a sparkling journey through the stars, exploring how cultures worldwide use the night sky to guide, inspire, and connect. From Māori New Year celebrations with Matariki, to Polynesian ocean voyages with Moana, discover stories that unite us all under one shared sky.
Length
🕛 43 mins
Host
🎙️ Laura Menousek
Release Date
June 18, 2025
What’s Inside This Episode
Grab your Belief Backpack and gaze upward as we set off on a stellar adventure around the world! In this sparkling, star-filled episode, kids and families will:
Whether you’re dreaming big with Hiwa-i-te-Rangi or simply stargazing with open eyes and hearts, this episode illuminates how stars inspire kindness, unity, and wonder around the globe!
For Parents and Educators
Learning Themes:
- Cultural Awareness & Global Unity: Children discover how diverse cultures look at the same stars and create meaningful, inspiring stories from their unique perspectives.
- Natural Navigation & Astronomy: The episode’s exploration of Polynesian wayfinding invites kids to understand ancient star navigation and appreciate the night sky as a timeless map.
- Reflection & Gratitude: Listeners explore the Māori tradition of Matariki, learning how reflection, remembrance, and gratitude strengthen communities.
- Environmental Stewardship: Through the “Matariki Resolution” challenge, kids recognize their ability to positively impact the Earth with mindful, proactive choices.
- Interfaith & Intercultural Bridges: By comparing star stories from Māori, Greek, Japanese, and Polynesian traditions, children practice curiosity, respect, and connection across cultures.
Suggested Uses:
Family Listening & Discussion
- Enjoy the episode together under the stars or indoors with soft lighting.
- Pause after “Constellation Charades” to share your own family star-stories or make up new constellations together.
Classroom Circle Time
- Prompt discussion with, “Which star story resonated most with you?”
- Act out the Māori legend of “The Seven Fish of Matariki,” reinforcing teamwork and storytelling skills.
Extension Activities
- Eco-Star Resolution: Have each child complete the printable Matariki Resolution guide, identifying one tangible eco-friendly goal.
- Star Journal: Invite kids to keep an evening star journal, drawing constellations they see and creating stories inspired by them.
- Cultural Exploration: Organize small groups to research other cultures’ star stories, presenting findings through artwork, skits, or digital media.
Bonus Tip: Host a “Star Storytelling Evening”
Invite families or classmates for an evening outdoors or in a cozy indoor setting. Bring blankets, flashlights, and star-shaped treats. Let each participant share a favorite cultural star story or invent one of their own. Celebrate together how, just like stars, stories unite us in wonder and joy!
Printable Activity
My Matariki Resolution
Download your free “My Matariki Resolution” printable today and light up your family’s week with eco-kindness and cultural wonder. Let Hiwa-i-te-Rangi guide you and let your small steps add up to something truly big.
Together, let’s make wishes that give back to the world.
Books to Explore Together
Note: This section contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Faithfully Explore!
The Little Kiwi’s Matariki
By Nikki Slade Robinson
Soar through the starry skies of Aotearoa in this tender and enchanting introduction to the Māori New Year. In The Little Kiwi’s Matariki, Nikki Slade Robinson’s warm, expressive illustrations and gentle storytelling invite young readers into a nighttime forest where sleepy animals awaken for a very special celebration. As the Matariki stars rise above the treetops, Little Kiwi gathers friends for feasting, remembering, and hopeful wishing. Rooted in cultural tradition yet easy for little ones to follow, this picture book is a cozy, luminous way to discover the meaning of Matarikiits stories, its stars, and its spirit of togetherness.
Star Stories: Constellation Tales from Around the World
By Anita Ganeri, illustrated by Andy Wilx
Step into the night sky and discover how cultures across the globe have looked up and told stories through the stars. In Star Stories, Anita Ganeri’s rich storytelling and Andy Wilx’s dreamy, metallic illustrations take young readers on a celestial journey from Ancient Greece to India, North America, Africa, and beyond. Each constellation comes alive with myth, legend, and imagination, turning astronomy into a captivating adventure across time and tradition. With fascinating facts and dazzling visuals, this book connects science with storytelling in a way that makes every star feel like part of a bigger, magical picture.
Constellations for Kids: Stories and Activities That Inspire Wonder
By Ann Russell Pearson
Explore the stars like never before with this hands-on guide to the night sky. Constellations for Kids blends fascinating myths, beginner-friendly astronomy, and fun activities to help young stargazers connect the dots—literally. Author Ann Russell Pearson introduces famous constellations like Orion and Cassiopeia through bite-sized stories that bring ancient legends to life, then invites readers to find them in the sky, draw them, or even create their own. Perfect for curious kids and families ready to head outside, this book turns stargazing into an inspiring journey full of wonder, learning, and creativity.
Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations
By Jacqueline Mitton, illustrated by Christina Balit
Gaze up at the sky and let the stars tell their tales in this vibrant, myth-filled introduction to the constellations. Once Upon a Starry Night pairs Jacqueline Mitton’s clear, engaging storytelling with Christina Balit’s luminous, mosaic-style illustrations to bring the legends of the night sky to life. From the mighty Orion to the graceful Andromeda, each constellation shines with its own unforgettable story drawn from Greek mythology. Perfect for young astronomers and dreamers alike, this book turns every stargazing moment into a journey through epic adventures, heroic quests, and dazzling celestial wonders.
Matariki: The Star of the Year
By Dr. Rangi Matamua
Discover the deeper meaning behind the Māori New Year with this illuminating guide to the stars and traditions of Matariki. In Matariki: The Star of the Year, award-winning scholar Dr. Rangi Matamua blends science, storytelling, and cultural wisdom to explore the history, significance, and celestial beauty of the Matariki star cluster. Drawing on ancestral knowledge and modern astronomy, this accessible book invites readers of all ages to see the skies through a Māori lens, reconnect with seasonal rhythms, and celebrate the values of remembrance, hope, and renewal. A rich and thoughtful read for families, educators, and stargazers alike
Belief Backpack Quick Facts
From today’s starry adventure, we’re adding three cosmic treasures to our Belief Backpack:
- Humility, because when you look up at the night sky, you realize how vast the universe is and how small we are, and yet how special that we can be a part of it.
- Connection. Because no matter our differences, we share the same stars, the same earth. We can find common ground in that shared experience.
Did You Know?
✨ Name Origin
“Matariki” comes from the Māori words “mata” (eyes) and “ariki” (chief or god), meaning “eyes of god.”
✨ Ancient Roots
People across the world have observed the Pleiades for thousands of years, from Ancient Greece and Japan to Indigenous communities in North America, making it one of humanity’s oldest shared traditions.
✨ Modern Revival
In 2022, Matariki became an official public holiday in New Zealand, reviving Māori traditions and inviting all Kiwis to celebrate together.
✨ Wayfinding Wonders
Polynesian navigators used stars like Matariki to cross the vast Pacific Ocean, demonstrating incredible skills without modern instruments.
✨ Cultural Celebrations
Today, celebrations of star clusters like Matariki and Subaru unite communities, honoring traditions and sparking curiosity in both kids and adults worldwide.
Listener Shoutout
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💬 Join the Conversation
What’s your favorite constellation, star, or sky story? Have you ever spotted Matariki or the Pleiades where you live?
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is the star of hopes and dreams. If you could send one wish to the sky tonight, what would it be?
Polynesian navigators used the stars to sail across oceans without maps. If you were sailing on your own adventure, where would you want the stars to guide you?
Which star from the Matariki cluster do you feel most connected to today? Is it Waitī from the rivers, Waipunarangi from the rain, or another one? Why?
Did your family grow up with any star stories, bedtime myths, or cultural traditions tied to the sky? Share one in the comments!
What did you notice about the stars or wayfinding in Moana that felt even more meaningful after listening to the episode?
Have you drawn, painted, or crafted your own version of the Matariki stars or another constellation? Drop a link or description below. We’d love to see it!
The Pleiades appear in so many cultures. Which story from Greece, Japan, the Māori, Kiowa, or another tradition was your favorite, and why?
Let us know what you think.