Whanganui Upholds Ancestral Order in Puanga Observances

The community of Whanganui in New Zealand is observing Puanga, the rising of the ancestral star that marks the Māori new year. This period reinforces traditional knowledge, weather indicators, and food-harvesting customs for the tangata whenua of Te Taiuru. The observances highlight a structured continuity of cultural duty and social order, ensuring ancestral protocols remain intact.

How Does Puanga Reinforce Traditional Order?

Puanga becomes prominent in the evening sky towards the end of autumn, and in the pre-dawn sky during the first month of the Māori new year. The term Puanganui-o-te-rangi encompasses Puanga and its affiliate stars, Puanga Hori and Whakaahu. This celestial event serves as a traditional guide, reminding the people of their enduring connection to ancestral laws and the natural environment. Traditional stories from a Te Taiuru perspective are available on the puanganui.co.nz website.

Youth Taking Responsibility for Heritage

The transmission of custom to the next generation remains central to the Whanganui observances. Pūtiki leader Tamahau Rowe states that youth are increasingly connecting with Puanga and Matariki. This integration into the kura kaupapa curriculum, and even English-medium schools, ensures the survival of ancestral knowledge.

Rowe notes that local iwi experts, such as Che Wilson, have been instrumental in sharing the Whanganui and Te Tai Hauāuru perspective on the rising of the stars. Crucially, tamariki of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi will lead the traditional hau tapu ceremony for the first time. This reflects the leadership and responsibility the younger generation is assuming to secure the future of their cultural institutions.

Community Gatherings and Ancestral Crafts

On July 3, families are invited to welcome the rising of Puanga from 5:45am at Pūtiki Marae. Attendees may choose to start at the carpark beside the waka shed to see the waka bringing in the ahi, or at the marae ātea to welcome the ahi. The event will conclude with a karakia and kai hākari in Aotea wharekai. Organizers advise attendees to bring warm clothing, a torch, and their families.

Tupoho will host a Puanga Night Market at Rangahaua Marae on Thursday, July 9, from 5pm. The market brings together businesses, community organizations, arts and kai vendors, and entertainers. Business ideas and products created by Tawhero School students through the Whai Hua programme will be presented. Expressions of interest for stallholders can be sent to admin@tupoho.com.

Furthermore, the Whanganui Regional Museum will host two-hour group sessions until July 14. These sessions explore the navigational techniques of Pacific wayfinders and the National Library's visiting replica waka hourua Whakaura, a double-hulled voyaging canoe. Bookings can be made at info@wrm.org.nz or by calling 06 349 1110.

Schedule of Traditional Observances

• June 27: Whakapapa Day, a research day for families into whakapapa Māori from 9:30am to 3pm at Alexander Library Te Rerenga Mai o Te Kāuru.
• June 27: Christ Church Anglican Church's Messy Church to celebrate Puanga and Matariki from 4pm to 6pm. The all-ages event includes games, art, crafts, stories, music, and food, with a koha towards the meal.
• July 1: Raranga weaving, an evening of weaving, community, and connection from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Te Whare Pukapuka o Whanganui (Davis Library).
• July 6: Puanga Necklaces school holiday programme, creating a necklace and learning about the stars and symbols from 10am at Davis Library.
• July 7: Puanga Star Wall Hanging school holiday programme from 10am at Davis Library.
• July 8: Clay Ukutangi school holiday programme, sculpting an ukutangi inspired by traditional taonga pūoro Māori from 10:30am at Gonville Library.
• July 8: Rongoā Māori talk series, featuring Christina McMaster on native healing plants and Māori medicine from 7pm to 8:30pm at Alexander Library.
• July 9: Puanga Lanterns school holiday programme from 10am at Davis Library.
• July 13: Koru Art school holiday programme from 10am at Davis Library.
• July 14: Puanga Stars school holiday programme from 10am at Davis Library.
• July 15: Te Tangi a Te Kūaka, a shadow puppet show exploring the migration of the bar-tailed godwit from 6pm to 7pm at Alexander Library.
• July 15-29: Taonga Ihi Orooro wānanga themed around Puanga-Matariki at A Healing Space, Suite 22, 225 Wicksteed St. Introductory group sessions are $35 per class from 6pm to 8pm. Book at waireti1@gmail.com.
• July 16: Puanga Manu Tukutuku Kite Art school holiday programme from 10am at Davis Library.
• July 17: Puanga Tākaro mā pēpi school holiday programme, singing with babies, from 10am at Hākeke St Library (Whanganui East).
• July 22: Whakatere talk series, featuring voyager, carver, and educator Toiora Hawira on traditional Māori voyaging from 7pm to 8:30pm at Alexander Library.

What is the significance of Puanga for the Māori new year?

Puanga is the ancestral star that marks the Māori new year for the tangata whenua of Te Taiuru. It serves as a vital weather indicator and guides traditional food-harvesting customs, dictating the rhythm of the land and the community.

How are the youth of Whanganui involved in Puanga?

Youth are actively taking on leadership roles. For the first time, tamariki from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi will lead the traditional hau tapu ceremony, demonstrating the successful transmission of cultural duty to the next generation.