Make a Manu Tukutuku (kite)

Nature PlayIndoor ActivitiesLearning Te Reo Māori
Written By Kim Manunui

Manu means both bird and kite, tukutuku refers to winding out the line. Kites were flown to celebrate the start of the Māori New Year, when Matariki (the Pleiades) appeared in the mid-winter night sky.

You can make your own manu tukutuku using natural resources from your backyard.  You could use sticks, toetoe, harakeke, feathers or leaves. Be creative!  For a less traditional version, you could make your frame from sticks and then glue paper to these if you need to.  You can then decorate it with feathers and leaves.  However you make your kite, getting outside in the fresh air and winter wind to try it out will make you feel fantastic!

The book, The Seven Kites of Matariki, by Calico McClintock, is an awesome book to read to get inspired to be creative in your matariki kite making. Click HERE for a great read aloud video.

See more information about manu tukutuku and instructions for how to make one HERE

Watch the video below to see step by step instructions to make manu tukutuku.

Watch the video below to learn more about manu tukutuku.

Check out these awesome manu tukutuku made for Matariki by the bilingual Māori students at Te Papapa School. They used toetoe and harakeke, with string to bind them. We think they are very clever and did a fantastic job!

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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