Mā: Matariki for Tamariki

NEW ALBUM – OUT NOW!

Release link: https://music.drm.co.nz/matariki-tamariki

Made with the support of NZ on Air Music, we bring to you our contribution to the Matariki season – 13 Matariki-inspired tunes for younger tamariki, teaching them about each of the nine whetū/stars, and the season as a whole! These offerings have the Loopy Tunes trademark of being super fun and interactive waiata, with beautiful harmonies.

Check out the Matariki episodes on our YouTube series, “Music Time with Loopy Tunes” for more learning around most of these waiata, and keep an eye on our Online Shop for Resource Packs, coming VERY soon!!

We hope they become a staple in your households, kura and preschools, especially in the lead-up to Matariki!!

The album’s tracks (click on song titles to have a listen):

1. Te Mātahi o te Tau – three words to help you remember what the Māori New Year is all about: whakamaumahara (to remember), whakanui (to celebrate), whakariterite (to prepare).
2. Te Whānau o Matariki – a bit of a Matariki family tree waiata, teaching a little about each of the stars, sung in te reo Māori.
3. Hiwa-i-te-rangi – a song about the wishing star.
4. Ururangi Dance – a very upbeat waiata about the star that represents wind, that speeds up FOUR times!
5. The Animals of the Sea (Waitā) – learn about ngā uri o Tangaroa, the animals of the sea, in this fun action waiata.
6. Huarākau is Fruit (Tupuārangi) – learn eight fruits in Māori, and if you check out the music video, you can also learn them in NZSL.
7. Ngā Whetū o Matariki (2025) – our new-and-improved version of our previously released waiata, with the Matariki stars in a new order, and new actions, too.
8. Peke In The Rain (Waipuna-a-rangi) – sung to a “Sleeping Bunnies” format, this fun song will have tamariki/children doing different actions “in the rain”.
9. The Whānau of Matariki – the bilingual version of “Te Whānau o Matariki”.
10. I Love Huawhenua (Tupuānuku) – learn twelve vegetables in Māori, and in NZSL, if you watch the music video.
11. Waitī, Shine Brightly – a wee lullaby about the water that flows from our awa/rivers.
12. Feed The Stars (Hautapu Song) – an energetic action song teaching about the Hautapu ceremony, learning about the foods that go into the pot!
13. Te Waka o Rangi (Pōhutukawa) – a lullaby to finish the album off, about the star that represents those who have passed away.

Listen to the songs on all major platforms:

Check out the thumbnails below for info on where to stream and download the album and singles released, plus resources and merch!