Celebrate Puanga with us at Whanganui District Library!

The rising of Puanga (known in English as the star Rigel) signals the Māori New Year for Whanganui iwi. It is a time to reflect on the past, honour those who have gone before us, and look ahead with hope - a season for remembering, reconnecting, and coming together.

This programme of events invites our community to gather in the spirit of whanaungatanga. Together we'll learn, connect, create and grow over this season with events such as the Nōna te Ao Puanga Talks Series at the Alexander Library and a jam-packed Puanga School Holiday Programme. We're also offering an opportunity to deepen your roots and research your tūpuna (ancestors) with our ever-popular Whakapapa Day.

This Puanga our libraries have drawn inspiration from the following whakatauki (proverb) to guide the direction of our events.

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōnā te ao.

The bird who feasts on the miro berry, theirs is the forest. The bird who feasts on knowledge, theirs is the world.

Nau mai, haere mai — all are welcome.