Our Pūanga Celebrations - Background

We have been celebrating the rise of Puanga in Carlton School since 2017. It is a time to reflect and celebrate the past, the present and the potential future.

Past Celebrations

2023 - We begun the day as usual, with our ruruku and gathering by the fire. This year was a "low key" year of celebration for us with our puna celebrating with their own activities.

2022 - Our day began as usual with "ruruku" and a hearty breakfast. Activities throughout the day were art based crafts with a theme.

2021 - Whakatau - Ruruku at dawn. Our theme is "Mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa ko au te awa ko te awa ko au"

2020 - Whakatau - Ruruku at dawn. Our theme was "ki te whai ao ki te ao marama" which was a display about the narrative of puanga.

2019 - Whakatau during school time. Our theme was the diversity of our school through "kai" contributed by our community.

2018 - Whakatau - Ruruku at Dawn with creative works at school. Our theme was linked to technology.

2017 - Whakatau- A get together at dawn with some creative works at the beach. Our theme was to promote a Māori Worldview.

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as Pleiades, which rises in midwinter and for many Māori, heralds the start of the new year.

Matariki is now celebrated nationally as a day of significance which also acknowledges Māori Astronomy, Mātauranga Māori and our Maramataka (The Māori Calendar).

In the Whanganui, Taranaki and parts of Te Waka a Māui regions, Puanga is celebrated as it rises before Matariki ie. it is higher in the night sky.

Our celebrations at Carlton school align with the New Moon in June, the beginning of the "lunar" year and the rising of Te Tira o Puanga. This years new moon is the 28 June 2022.

Matariki or Mata-ariki is positioned further north and below Te Tira o Puanga. Te Tira o Puanga is also known as The constellation of Orion.

2024 Celebrations - 27 Pipiri / June

Tēnā koutou katoa. With "Te Tau Hōu Māori" (the Māori New Year) approaching, we just wanted to take the opportunity to let you all know the date for this years cultural celebration. Our theme for this year is "Appreciating Cultural Difference" through togetherness (kotahitanga), inclusiveness (matatika) and universal celebration.

Naumai haere mai

Come and join us!! If you are able to help us with supervising the children and keeping them safe on the day, please fill out this form to let us know. Thank you so much :)

PŪANGA CELEBRATION - 27 Pipiri / June 2024

THEME FOR THE DAY - Learning about all and understanding people have different perspectives by showcasing ethnic arts and the sharing of cultural food.

VALUES FOCUS - KOTAHITANGA / COMMUNITY

PROGRAMME - MUFTI-DAY

Rāpare 27 Pipiri / June

RURUKŪ

6.00am - Ruruku followed by breakfast in the hall. All children must be accompanied by an adult when attending.

7.30am - Dawn ceremony finishes. Children go home and return to school at normal school time.

WHOLESCHOOL TRIP TO CASTLECLIFF Beach - Create decorated cultural sand sculptures.

8.55am - Roll Call.

9.05am - Puna ako gather on Courts.

9.15am - Whole School departs Carlton for Castlecliff beach.

9.45am - Cultural sand sculpture crafting begins.

11.45 - Whānau judging team selects the best overall designs according to the theme. Results will be announced back at school.