The season of Puanga, the Maori new year, is almost upon us, and a public talk on Tuesday at the Whanganui Regional Museum aims to explain exactly what that means.
Awhina Twomey, Maori archivist and lecturer, will speak on the traditional Aotearoa New Year and how it is celebrated in Whanganui.
She will explain what the celebration means to Maori and some of the customary activities of the new year.
"While most people around the country celebrate Matariki, Puanga is the star that Whanganui, Taranaki and South Island iwi look towards to signal the new year," said Ms Twomey, who hopes to share ideas on how people can celebrate Puanga within their own whanau and communities.
Supper will be provided and koha is appreciated.