Matariki

**1. Hand games Tākaro ā-ringa**
Hand games play an important part in the development of hand-eye coordination.

Activity 1: Hipitoitoi Positions
 * Both thumbs down.
 * Both thumbs upright.
 * Right thumb upright and left thumb down.
 * Left thumb upright and right thumb down.

Rules 
 * The defender always begins the game by calling "E hipitoitoi!" while placing their hands in one of the four positions discussed above.
 * The challenger replies with "Hipitoitoi" and does a different action to the defender.
 * This will go on until one player is caught doing the same action as the other player, then the latter scores a point, calling "Hipitoitoi rā!"
 * The winner of the point then re-starts the set, and they play again.
 * Each time a player scores a point, they re-start the set by saying the number of points they now have followed by "E hipitoitoi!". For example, "Tahi. E hipitoitoi!", "Rua. E hipitoitoi!"
 * The game continues until one player scores ten points, which completes the set.

Activity 2: Hei tama tū tama
Hei Tama Tū Tama, like many early games, was designed to encourage mental dexterity. Even though the winning was important, it was the way in which competitors won that was the focus. The cheeky cajoling, the smile and grimace to put your opponent off were all part of the game. The pedagogy is ako, in which games are always supportive. This game is played using the upper body, arms, and hands, ensuring a balanced position.

Positions

 * Hands on hips.
 * Both forearms raised, fists clenched, and elbows to the side.
 * Right forearm raised with clenched fist, left hand on hip.
 * Left forearm raised with clenched fist, right hand on hip.



Rules  Activity 3: Whakaropiropi ai Whakaropiropi Ai is played with two people facing each other. The two will start the game by beating their thighs with the palms of their hands in unison. One of the two, the defender, will begin the game by calling to the other, "Whakaropiropi ai", and the challenger replies "Āe". The defender then calls "Tēnei mea te hōmai" and chooses one of the five actions described below:
 * The defender begins the game by calling "Hei tama tū tama" and places their hands in one of the four positions described above.
 * The challenger replies with "Hei tama tū tama" and does a different action.
 * When one player catches the other doing the same action, that player calls "Hei tama tū tama rā!" and scores a point.
 * The winner of the point then re-starts the set, saying "Tahi. Hei tama tū tama", and play continues until a player is caught out again.
 * Each time a player scores a point, they re-start the set by saying the number of points they now have followed by "Hei tama tū tama."
 * The game continues until one player reaches ten points – this completes the set.
 * Arms at the side of the body, bent at the elbows to point at the opponent, with both fists clenched.
 * Arms at the side of the body, bent at the elbows to point at the opponent, with both hands open, fingers extended and pointing away from the body.
 * Arms at the side of the body, bent at the elbows to point at the opponent, both hands open with the fingers extended and fingertips touching to form an A shape.
 * Arms at the side of the body, bent at the elbows to point at the opponent, both hands open with the fingers extended and fingertips touching to form a V shape.
 * Arms at the side of the body, bent at the elbows to point at the opponent, both hands open with the fingers extended and the right extended fingers on top of the left extended fingers.



The challenger then replies with "Hōmai" and chooses a different action to the defender. This continues to and fro until one player unwittingly does the same action as the other. In other words, one player has been "tricked" into doing the same action as the other player. At the completion of the game, the students will discuss how the points are won. The students then get into teams of four and play Whakaropiropi Ai in a round robin.