Puanga - Puanga
Some iwi celebrate Puanga rather than Matariki. Puanga is the star Rigel in Orion. In Māori mythology Puanga was believed to be the older brother of Matariki.
Stories to share
Watch a video
Watch this video from TVNZ's Te Karere about Puanga. The video description says:
"The rise of Matariki has become a national celebration, but there's also another star that heralds the Māori new year. Puanga, or Rigel, is the star that some regions use as an indicator to mark the new year and as Irena Smith reports, traditional celestial knowledge is becoming popular."
Websites
- Parihaka Puanga Kai Rau Festival marks Māori new year
A video recording from the Te Ao Mārama television program — Maata Wharehoka explaining Puanga and its significance - From Te Papa: The difference between Puanga and Matariki — Ko Puanga, ko Matariki me ō rāua hononga
"Some iwi celebrate Puanga rather than Matariki. Che Wilson of Whanganui iwi explains why this is the case, and which iwi celebrate Puanga."