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.