Matariki 2025: Rewi Spraggon explains Puanga, Matariki's older brother
We are starting Matariki 2025 week with a look at Puanga, the star Rigel in Orion.
Matariki is the public holiday we all celebrate this year on Friday, June 20.
But for iwi on the West Coast, there's not a lot to see. That's why they celebrate Puanga, in Māori
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NZ Herald
6 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Matariki 2025: Rewi Spraggon explains Puanga, Matariki's older brother
We are starting Matariki 2025 week with a look at Puanga, the star Rigel in Orion. Matariki is the public holiday we all celebrate this year on Friday, June 20. But for iwi on the West Coast, there's not a lot to see. That's why they celebrate Puanga, in Māori
Otago Daily Times
12 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Motorists urged to be cautious
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging motorists to slow down and take extreme care as icy conditions are expected to persist this week on state highways in the South Island's Mackenzie Basin. A combination of freezing temperatures, fog, hoar frosts and black ice means challenging conditions for travel on State Highways 8 and 80 over the next few days, the biggest concern being drivers not adapting to the conditions. In a statement, NZTA system manager Mark Pinner said "On SH8 in particular, there are many sheltered areas where build-up of ice is a major concern." Mr Pinner said bridge surfaces could cool quickly, and re-freezing could even occur in the late morning. "We've already had reports of people driving too fast for the conditions and truck and trailer units fishtailing. We also know it's going to get busier later in the week, as we get closer to the long holiday weekend for Matariki. Reducing speed is the biggest thing drivers can do to keep themselves safe and to help keep the highways open." "One of the measures we are employing to slow traffic down are temporary speed limits which can be employed on parts of the highway network that are most at risk." The temporary speed limit of 50kmh had been put into effect on State Highway 8 at sites like each side of Lake Tekapo township, and near the Tekapo Military Camp, the Tekapo Flyover (over the Tekapo Canal) and Simons Pass. Mr Pinner said "This is not our usual approach, but the nature of the conditions forecast for this week means we need to use every tool we can to keep people safe on the roads." "Our typical de-icing agents are at the extreme range of where they aren't as effective, and while we are gritting the roads, driving to conditions is a key part of keeping road access safe also." "If the conditions warrant it, we will close the highway, most likely overnight and through the high-risk early morning period. People need to plan ahead if they are travelling in the area — keep an eye on our Journey Planner site." These precautions came after last week's closures of State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie Basin. He said at the time: "With the snow continuing to fall and roads becoming extremely icy at nights, our teams made good calls to do some overnight closures between Fairlie and Twizel in recent days." Mr Pinner said, "While we know these closures can be disruptive for some, I have no doubt that those decisions helped to prevent accidents and stranding of vehicles that could have led to much longer closures and even greater disruption. We know this because we have already had to deal with stranded and crashed vehicles in the last week, as people were caught out by the weather and road conditions." He said: "Preventing travel when the risk is at its highest also means less risk posed to emergency services that get called in to help when something goes wrong." "Closing down the highway overnight enabled our crews to work around the clock safely, to remove snow and de-ice, grit the roads, and then to lead vehicle convoys at controlled speeds through the affected stretch of highway to allow reopening." "Our crews have done some outstanding work on SH8 and other South Island highways over the last week to minimise the impacts on motorists and residents." Key considerations for winter driving include adjusting speeds to suit the conditions, being visible, increasing following distances on slippery roads and avoiding sudden braking or turning movements. "Winter has only just begun and we know there will be plenty more weather events to deal with. If everyone plays their part, then it makes life easier for all of us." More winter driving advice could be accessed at — APL
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Mānawatia A Matariki — Happy Māori New Year
As Te Kāhui o Matariki, the Matariki star cluster, signals the arrival of the Māori New Year, local tangata whenua and community groups share opportunities for us to celebrate and come together. Matariki is a time to reflect, celebrate our history and look to the future. To celebrate the magic of Matariki across this year, the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund (TWBCEF) is supporting four events across the rohe. The events welcome all age groups and aim to build understanding of te ao Māori (Māori world view), mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and te reo Māori (the Māori language). In Welcome Bay, the Te Ara a Matariki Light Trail is a magical and inclusive experience for all ages and abilities. Held over two nights, the trail is a gentle walk winding through the māra kai, food forest, and native bush areas. Night one sees whānau with disabilities and sensory needs catered to with reduced lighting and fewer people, creating a calm and accessible space for all. Te Kete Matariki Te Puke is an annual Māori lead community event held at Jellicoe Park, Te Puke, jam-packed full of culture, entertainment, kai, fun and education. Held on Friday 20 June, the celebration draws its name on the story of the local ancestor Whakaotirangi who had the role of securing the kumara plants brought from Hawaiki to Aotearoa in a kete on the Te Arawa waka. Commemorating Matariki within the Merivale community, a series of events will be held with the focus on two main aspects of celebration – Matariki, the mother star, representing reflection and remembrance, and Põhutukawa representing those who have passed on. Matariki ki Katikati sees three key events for the local community. On Thursday, a lunch at Te Rereatukahia Marae sees mana whenua hosting special guests from Katikatis local history. The 'Viewing of the Stars' held on the eve of Matariki at Katikati College includes a night market and an opportunity for the entire family to share kai and culture. On Matariki Friday the Dawn Service at Park Road Reserve being a true highlight. The Reserve is a place of significance and a perfect setting overlooking the inner harbour, with spectacular views of Matakana Island, Bowentown Heads and the Matariki cluster which appears brilliantly above the horizon. The Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund is supporting these four events with a combined total of $47,000 ensuring accessibility to events across the rohe. The fund is a partnership between local funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council with the core purpose of supporting community-led events and those that encourage participation for free or at low-cost. TECT's Community Impact Manager, Paula Hudson, says the fund enables events where our communities can honour Matariki through traditional ceremonies, performances, and storytelling. 'It's great to see the community have opportunities to learn about Matariki, and the concepts of the Māori New Year. Supporting experiences that enable connection and reflection at this significant time of the Māori calendar helps create a stronger and more cohesive community.' These are just a few of the Matariki events occurring across the region over the next couple of weeks. Visit the Matariki Te Tauranga o ngā Waka website for more information
