Collectively Aotearoa will celebrate Te Iwa o Matariki on June 24th, and this year it comes with an inaugural statutory holiday to acknowledge this significant time. But on Saturday (11th) we celebrated Puanga in Taranaki.
As this star constellation returns and at dawn rising above Taranaki Maunga, it signifies Māori New Year for Taranaki iwi. If you are in Taranaki, look up at the dawn sky. This is a time to give thanks to our tūpuna (ancestors) and recently departed loved ones. It’s time to share stories and kai with family and friends, to harvest and to prepare the soil and plants for year ahead.
#celebratingtogether #taranaki #puanga #matariki #culture #yearahead #givingthanks
