Celebrate Puanga at Alexander Heritage & Research Library

Next date: Wednesday, 15 July 2026 | 06:00 PM to 07:00 PM

Join the team at the Alexander Heritage & Research Library | Te Rerenga Mai o Te Kāuru for a celebration of Puanga, with events from June 24 - July 22.

Meretini Bennett-Huxtable: Maramataka Māori | Nōna Te Ao Puanga Talks Series

Wed, 24 Jun, 7pm - 8:30pm

Join Meretini Bennett-Huxtable as she shares her insights and passion about Maramataka Māori (the māori lunar calendar). Meretini is a passionate advocate and practitioner of living by Maramataka. Come along and learn how Maramataka affects our lives.

Whakapapa Day

Sat, 27 Jun, 9:30am - 3pm

Celebrate Puanga with a special Whakapapa Day dedicated to exploring and honouring whakapapa Māori. Hosted by the Alexander Library, this session invites whānau to connect with their whakapapa, share stories, and discover tools and resources to support their journey. Whether you’re just beginning or deepening your knowledge, this is a welcoming space to reflect, learn, and reconnect with your tūpuna during the season of Puanga.

Christina McMaster: Rongoā Māori | Nōna Te Ao Puanga Talks Series

Wed, 8 Jul, 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Join Christina McMaster for an introduction to rongoā Māori — the traditional healing practices of te ao Māori. This kōrero will explore the rich knowledge of native plants and their uses in healing, alongside the deeper philosophies that underpin rongoā. Whether you’re new to rongoā or looking to deepen your understanding, this session offers a thoughtful and accessible insight into Māori approaches to wellbeing and medicine.

Te Tangi a te Kūaka: Kūaka Shadow Puppets

Wed, 15 Jul, 6pm - 7pm

Join us for a magical, night-time storytelling experience as we follow the incredible journey of the kūaka (bar-tailed godwit), one of the world’s most remarkable migratory birds. Tamariki will be guided to create their own kūaka shadow puppets, then settle in to hear the story of this epic flight across oceans and skies. After the tale, it’s their turn to step into the light—bringing their kūaka to life through shadow play and imagination. A creative, hands-on session blending storytelling, art, and performance. Perfect for curious minds and creative tamariki.

Toiora Hawira: Whakatere | Nōna Te Ao Puanga Talks Series

Wed, 22 Jul, 7pm - 8:30pm

Join us for a powerful kōrero with Toiora Hawira, a navigator whose journey has been shaped by the rhythms of Te Awa Tupua (the Whanganui River) and the knowledge of his tūpuna. From paddling the awa as a child to voyaging across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean), his experience is grounded in mātauranga passed down through generations and strengthened through real journeys at sea. Toiora will share how navigators read the stars, ocean swells, and seasonal markers like Puanga to find direction and mark time. He’ll also speak to the ongoing revival of traditional navigation, including waka hourua journeys that continue to reconnect people across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. This is a rare chance to hear directly from someone living and practicing this knowledge today.

Find the Puanga events and complete your booking here

 

 

 

 

When

Location

Alexander Heritage & Research Library | Te Rerenga Mai o Te Kāuru, 1 Pukenamu Drive, Pukenamu, Queens Park, 4500, View Map