Te Tai Hauāuru MP Adrian Rurawhe reads te reo books to children as part of Whanganui's Davis Library Māori new year celebrations

Whanganui's Davis Library is celebrating the Māori new year known as Puanga in the region by inviting guest readers to the children's library.

Te Tai Hauāuru MP Adrian Rurawhe took a turn at reading books written in te reo for an audience of pre-schoolers.

While the younger children were more intent on moving the book trolleys around, a group of 4-year-olds gave Rurawhe their full attention as he read them pukapuka (books) about kūmara and farm animals.

"It has been a long time since I read to a group of tamariki and it has been very enjoyable," Rurawhe said.

He received enthusiastic applause and a waiata from the children of Mangawhero Te Kohanga Reo in Guyton St.

Former All Black and Whanganui police officer Glen Osborne has been invited to read in the library on July 5.

"We hope he can make it but we have a back-up plan in case he can't make it," children's librarian Jane Barlow said.

"As a police officer, we know that he may be called for duty and one of us will read if he can't make it."

The Puanga Pūrākau (stories) organised by the children's library team is one of a number of events that are part of the Puanga celebrations happening in Whanganui in June and July.

• To find out more visit the punanga.org.nz or the Facebook page @puangakiwhanganui.