Matariki – Public Holiday 10 July 2026

Search in Teacher
Child looking at night sky for Matariki.

Teaching and Learning about Matariki and Celebrating in Early Childhood Services

This article presents ideas and teaching and learning activities for marking this culturally important event in the curriculum of early childhood education centres and home-based services. 

In late May or early June, a cluster of seven stars becomes

This is a member/subscriber only post. To access it, please see the message below for details on access and joining.
Already a Teacher Member?

Are you teaching and caring for children or studying for an ECE qualification?

If you are, that’s great!   Join us now, and become a teacher member.

Five Reasons to Join Us
1. Professional recognition

It is prestigious to belong to the OECE – you can skite about it! 

Ask us for an OECE Member Certificate, to include in your professional portfolio as proof you are engaged in reading and professional learning that advances your understanding of the relationship between practice and outcomes for children.

2. Extra benefits

No need to pay a subscription fee for access to NZ’s specialist ECE Newsroom – your member login will let you view everything in the ECE Newsroom. 

No need to pay to access the best NZ and international research – your member login gives you free access to the Research Library and support. 

3. Professional growth and no-judgement help

Teaching resources and advice on probably everything you can think of, including what to wear as a teacher, how to ask for a pay raise, identifying child behaviour causes and responding to needs, new play activity ideas, etc., etc.  all of this is at your finger-tips 24/7 whenever you need help or advice – login to view. 

4. Representation

Did you know that the OECE meets personally and regularly with the Ministry of Education national team, and the regulations committee and other forums? 

Political leaders and journalists are able to use the OECE to gain deeper knowledge on a topic or issue, and we provide a sounding board for ideas and feedback.

The OECE promotes safe working environments for teachers.  We also promote the absolute need for full pay parity with school teachers for all certificated teaching staff working in teacher-led centres and in home-based, and whether permanently or casually employed. 

5. Value for Money

We are committed to keeping membership prices affordable and providing value for money. 

Teacher membership is just $89 for a full year, or save by joining for 2 years.

Has this been useful?  Give us your feedback.

You are welcome to add a link to this page on your website. Copyright belongs to the OECE so please do not copy any content without our written permission.

Information provided is of a general nature. It is provided ‘as is’, and we accept no liability for its accuracy or completeness. See our Terms and Conditions.

Related Posts

early childhood research journal online

Becoming Cognisant of Research Informed by Kaupapa Māori in Early Childhood Education: Issues and Contexts

Abstract:

This paper outlines tensions existing within student teacher self-study action research projects undertaken as a requirement of a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) at Te Whare Waananga o Wairaka Unitec Institute of Technology (Unitec).

Whilst student teachers in our programme are expected to engage in Kaupapa Māori

This is a member/subscriber only post. To access it, please see the message below for details on access and joining.

Read More »
toddler concentrating on puzzle

Nose Bleeds

Nose bleeds in young children are commonly caused by knocks, nose-picking, and objects being inserted into the nose. 

If the nose bleed is caused by an injury, always check with a doctor as the child’s nose could be broken.

Quite often though, a nose bleed may just happen for no apparent reason – the blood just starts to d

This is a member/subscriber only post. To access it, please see the message below for details on access and joining.

Read More »
colourful preschool blocks

The 13 Big Changes the Government Has Made to ECE

The National-Act-NZ First Coalition Government took office in November 2023. Erica Stanford became Minister of Education. In early 2024, David Seymour was given the early childhood education (ECE) portfolio. Shortly afterwards, he announced that ECE would be the first sector reviewed by the newly established Ministry for Regulation.

Read More »
child swinging high on swing in playground of NZ early childhood centre

No-Cost Advertising and Service Promotion

Marketing and Promotion.

Competition from other service providers in your area should not result in your service closing its doors. If you provide a quality service, do your home-work and develop a plan to keep children and attract new families.

The standard marketing and advertising advice is: 

1. Develop a plan.

2. Consider c

This is a member/subscriber only post. To access it, please see the message below for details on access and joining.

Read More »
early childhood research journal online

Contents – NZ Research in ECE Journal, 2015, Vol 18

This issue explores mentoring and leadership for beginning teachers, school‑based playgroup transitions, young children’s visual art experiences, reflective practice through practical philosophy, comprehensive assessment approaches, and the interplay between social context and neural development.

Read More »

Share This Information

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Office of ECE Login

Take Action!

Help spread this vital ECE information, join our free social and email groups and become a member of OECE.

pay parity funding policy

1. Share This Information

2. Follow Our Social Pages

3. Get Regular Updates

Sign up to our free newsletters.

4. Become a Member