Join us in the Whanganui Region to celebrate Puanga; the Whanganui Matariki Celebrations 2008.

The appearance of the star Puanga (Rigel) or the star cluster Matariki (Pleiades) in the winter sky, connects Maori to land and sea, food-harvesting, weather patterns, the Maramataka (Lunar Calendar), entertainment and learning.

Over recent years, all New Zealand has embraced the festival of Matariki as an important and unique event.

Our Puanga festival is an open invitation for the Whanganui community (and the rest of the world!) to learn and experience our aspects of traditional M?ori life from astral navigation to a cutting edge fashion show, an art exhibition, a planting day, Marae open-days, Kapa Haka, musical events and much more.