Matariki Puanga

Tērā Puanga ka rewa i te pae
Nau mai, hara mai ngā hua o te tau hou
Tākiri ko te ata, ka pua te ata
Korihi te manu tino awatea
Ko te tangi mai o te kō,  
Ko korimako i te atatū,  
Tū ka takatū ki te ao mārama
Tēnei te raukura, tēnei te rauhuia, tēnā koutou katoa

In the last few years, Aotearoa New Zealand has embraced the celebration of Matariki, the Māori New Year. In response, as mana whenua, we’d like to share some of the whakaaro (thinking) about the authentic Matariki tradition in Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui (the Wellington region), and about the lesser-known single star Puanga.

Ngāti Toa and Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, alongside the councils of the Wellington region, have come together in acknowledgment of the shared significance of Matariki and Puanga.

We invite you and your whānau, iwi and communities to share in our knowledge and tikanga and explore the ways that we can all celebrate and uplift Matariki and Puanga this year.

Kura Moeahu
Tiamana (Chairman), Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui

Dr. Te Taku Parai
Pou Tikanga, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira

What is Puanga?

The celebration of Matariki, the Māori New Year, dates back over 700 years and is accompanied by long-established traditions. In Te Upoko o Te Ika (Wellington region), some mana whenua celebrate the rising of both Puanga and Matariki.

Puanga is a single whetū (star). While not part of the Matariki cluster, Puanga appears in the evening sky shortly before Matariki rises each year. Puanga rises higher in the sky than Matariki so it’s recognised by hapū and iwi that are unable to see Matariki from their location. Traditionally, the brightness and clarity of the stars are seen as an indicator of the favourability of conditions of the environment and the abundance of the harvest in the coming year.

The story of Puanga is being restored as part of the Matariki celebration and with the combined efforts of national experts and iwi leaders.

Why we celebrate Matariki Puanga

Matariki Puanga celebrates our unique location in Te Upoko o Te Ika. The shape of the landscape means that in some areas only Puanga can be seen, like in Waiwhetū here in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt, home to Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o te Ika a Māui. On the west coast in Porirua, within the boundaries of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Matariki is clearly visible. And being a region surrounded by hills and mountain ranges, there are many vantage points where both are visible – here in Te Whanganui a Tara we have something special!

The topographical lines within our Matariki Puanga designs are unique to Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt. The lines represent the form of Pukeatua, a sacred peak to Mana Whenua, that we all know as Wainuiomata Hill.

See the Matariki mā Puanga website for key events across the rohe and motu.

Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Matariki Puanga events 2025

Thursday 5 June

Matariki Tukutuku
28 Cornwall Street Lower Hutt
8pm
Kai, Kōrero, Kēmu – Te Awakairangi is looking to hold an inclusive, community-driven event to celebrate Matariki Puanga in 2025.
Our event this year is centred around “Matariki Tukutuku” where we’ll create a joint community mural, representing our hapori (community) and their aspirations.
Hākari & Artwork unveiling on Thursday 18 June.

Wednesday 11 June

Library after dark winter storytime: Teddy Bear Bedtime
Eastbourne Neighbourhood Hub
6pm–7pm
Join us for some special themed night storytimes through winter.

Thursday 11 June

Matariki Tukutuku
28 Cornwall Street Lower Hutt
8pm

Friday 13 June

Matariki Film
Naenae Neighbourhood Hub
10am
Join us for a free film screening. In celebration of Matariki, our film this week is Whetū Mārama – Bright Star.
The story of Sir Hekenukumai Ngaropi Puhipi, Hec Busby, and his role in rekindling Māori wayfinding and traditional star voyaging.

Saturday 14 – Wednesday 19 June

Matariki games and craft
Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub
9am–5pm
A selection of Matariki themed games, crafts and activities will be available in our community space.

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 June

Matariki Origami
Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub
1:30pm
Join us for Matariki themed origami fun.

Monday 16 June

Naenae Book Group: Kaitiakitanga
Naenae Neighbourhood Hub
This month we’ll highlight books that explore how humans interact with kaitiaki and have a special role to care for the natural environment.

Crafternoon for Matariki – Stitch a Star!
War Memorial Library
2pm–4pm
Come along and stitch a star with us for Matariki.

Tuesday 17 June

Crafternoon for Matariki – Print a Star!
War Memorial Library
2pm–4pm
Join us in printing a star to celebrate Matariki.

Sip and Celebrate
Moerā Neighbourhood Hub
11:30am–1pm
Come and share in celebrating Matariki with a warming mug of soup in our cosy library space.
Afterwards join us at ArtSpot for Adults for some Mindful Colouring.
This simple activity can help ease stress and promote relaxation, encourage reflection, exercise your motor skills, and generally give your brain a workout!
For adults.

Wednesday 18 June

Matariki Storytime
Naenae Neighbourhood Hub
10:30am
Join us to celebrate Matariki with stories, waiata and a special craft activity!
For ages 2–4.

Crafternoon for Matariki – Design a tealight banner
War Memorial Library
2pm–4pm
Come along and design a tealight banner this Matariki.

Kapū tī and kupu hou
Naenae Neighbourhood Hub
1pm
Come along and join us as we use some kupu mōori to kōrero Te Reo Māori, learn some new kupu and have a cuppa!
Not a class but a safe space to share, listen and have fun as we learn altogether. All levels, all ages. Bring the whānau!

Matariki Kapa Haka & Community Kai
War Memorial Library
12pm–2pm
Come on down, sit back and relax while watching kapa haka & waiata to celebrate Matariki.
We invite you to stay after the performances and join us for community kai. Free to attend and all welcome.

Matariki Tukutuku
28 Cornwall Street Lower Hutt
8pm

Thursday 19 June

Matariki Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub
10:30am
Join us for half a special Matariki themed baby bounce.
For ages 0–2.

Matariki Storytime
Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub
3:30pm
Join us for a special Matariki themed storytime.
For ages 2–5.

Ko Puanga rāua ko Matariki
Petone beach and kindergarten; Wainuiomata Community Hall
The event opens with a hautapu fire on Petone beach at 6.00am followed by breakfast at Petone Beach Kindergarten.
School performances will commence at the Wainuiomata Community Hall at 10:30am.
After lunch there will be Matariki activities, diel printing, bone carving and taonga pūoro.
There will be evening performance from the Hutt Valley Arohanui Strings. This will be followed by a community hāngi.

Matariki Community celebration open day
Te Mangungu Marae, Naenae
We invite local schools, kindergartens, kaumatua and community to celebrate Matariki by having an open day event and hosting a hāngī lunch.
Planned activities include planting, Poi making and waiata.

Crafternoon for Matariki – Weave your own paper star
War Memorial Library
2pm–4pm

Friday 20 June

Haka Extravaganza
Dowse Square
From 6am
Join us for Haka Extravaganza 2025. Hautapu Ceremony with live Kapa Haka performances from 9am–6pm

Winter Warmer Matariki celebration
Speldhurst Park, Stokes Valley
10am–3pm
For the third year in a row, the Stokes Valley Kai team is organising the Winter Warmer Matariki Whakanui Celebration.
This community-led event is a free day for the whānau of Stokes Valley to celebrate together and embrace Matariki.

Matariki Hautapu
Wainuiomata Marae 5.30am
Join us at Wainuiomata Marae to welcome the Māori New Year with karakia, remembrance, joy and kai.

Matariki Night Market
Wainuiomata Marae
From 4-9pm
Celebrate Matariki with whānau fun at Wainuiomata Marae!
Enjoy a vibrant evening of live entertainment, food, and family-friendly Matariki themed activities.

Saturday 28 June

Matariki for Tamariki
War Memorial Library
11am–12pm
Celebrate Matariki Puanga. Cosy up in your Blanket or Oodie and enjoy a hot milo, stories and craft. All welcome!

Matariki with Te Kākano o te Aroha Marae
Community Centre Moerā
The bringing of all cultures in our area together to share the Māori Culture of Matariki.
To have a guest speaker to explain what Matariki means and how we celebrate it.

Naenae Matariki celebration
Te Mako and Hilary Court, Naenae
See musical performances from school kapa haka groups and local musicians, enjoy interactive activities such as a crafts station, a wall of memories and aspirations, storytelling of Matariki stories, and a kai and kōrero space for kuamatua.

Wednesday 2 July

Library after dark winter storytime: Superstar Storytime
Eastbourne Neighbourhood Hub
6pm–7pm

Other / Ongoing Events

Library after dark winter storytime series – Eastbourne Neighbourhood Hub
All from 6pm–7pm

• 11 June: Teddy Bear Bedtime
• 19 June: Matariki Magic
• 26 June: Nocturnal Night
• 2 July: Superstar Storytime

Te Tai o Puanga – Tune in to Āti Awa Toa FM
Te Tai o Puanga Ted-Talks will present an engaging infotainment experience in the style of TED Talks broadcast on Āti Awa Toa FM radio.