Maori New Year traditions studied

FLYING HIGH: Kite-making is a traditional activity for M ori New Year, whina Twomey says.PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO 110615WCSMPUANGA1

People wanting to know what the Maori New Year is about can go to a free workshop at the Whanganui Regional Museum tomorrow night.

Led by the museum's kaitiaki taonga Maori/kaiwhakaako Awhina Twomey, it is in the Davis Lecture Theatre from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

At the Wananga i a Puanga, they'll learn what the new year - Puanga to Whanganui Mori - means and how it was traditionally celebrated with gathering and feasting, learning about migration, battles and whakapapa (geneaology), reflection and preparation for the year to come.

They will be shown how to find the important stars - Puanga (Rigel) and Matariki (the Pleaides) - and there will be an activity, time for questions and supper to follow.

People will be pleasantly surprised what they can incorporate into their celebrations, Miss Twomey said. She and her children have celebrated for years by building a fire outside before dawn and reciting karakia, waiata and whakapapa as they watch for the special stars to appear above the eastern horizon.

The wananga is just the first of a big programme of Puanga activities at the museum. The next ones involve taonga poro, traditional Maori musical instruments on May 27 and 28, and individuals and groups need to book for them.

Taonga puoro specialist Jerome Kavanagh, who has played at Carnegie Hall, will give two two-hour daytime workshops each day. Participants will try playing instruments, and be able to take them home.

On May 27 Mr Kavanagh holds a masterclass from 6-8pm, where he will demonstrate and people can make and play instruments. On March 28 the evening session is for indigenous sounds. People are invited to bring their own instruments and sounds - Scottish, Irish, Gypsy and more - and play solo, with others and with Mr Kavanagh. People who have sounds to contribute can contact Miss Twomey at the museum, ph 349 1110.