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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:34am

A close up of a pair of hands making a kite, surrounded by craft supplies

Families are being invited to take part in a fun, flying end to Matariki and the school holidays.

Darfield School international students, Glentunnel School pupils, Lincoln Envirotown, the Two Rivers Trust and the Council have all banded together to support the Selwyn Kite Day.

The making and flying of manu tukutuku (kites) is a traditional part of Māori celebrations for Matariki.Kite making is an important part of celebrations in many cultures. For Matariki celebrations this year the Council has joined with community groups and schools, embracing the multicultural love of kites, with videos showing families how to make kites at little or no cost.

Darfield High School international students from Japan, Thailand and Germany have worked with Lincoln Envirotown to create a video with instructions on how to make a kite out of bamboo canes and repurposed plastic bags.

Pupils at Glentunnel School and volunteers from the Two Rivers Community trust produced video guides on making two versions of a Māori manu taratahi (a triangular shaped kite).

Families are encouraged to use the videos to make their own kites and join others across the district in flying them on Kite Day on Sunday 19 July from 1pm. Two Rivers Trust will also be hosting a kite flying event at Darfield Domain from 3pm on the day.

To learn about how to make your kite visit our Matariki page.