Lecture theatre packed for Puanga film evenings

Whanganui's Davis Lecture Theatre was packed for an evening of historic films.

Whanganui's celebration of Puanga is going from strength to strength.

The Maori New Year festivities stretch from June through to early August, with events of all kinds put on under the Puanga umbrella.

Whanganui Regional Museum is one of the major providers, and kaitiaki taonga Māori Āwhina Twomey is pleased with the response.

She offered teachers, students from early childhood to tertiary and any interested adult the chance to hear about Puanga and the activities of the season.

"We had a really, really good response to the programmes we have put out, which makes me extremely happy."

It was a rare opportunity, she said.

"There's nowhere else for people to go to learn about Puanga and what's traditionally done and how you can bring that into today and make it relevant and celebrate it in the home, the school and the community at large."

The museum's McDonald film evenings were popular, with 150 people at one of them. They watched silent black and white film of life on the Whanganui River in 1921, with taonga puoro music (from traditional Māori instruments) and commentary in the background.

The Puanga karakia by the river at Putiki in June made for a fabulous morning, Ms Twomey said. The dining room at Putiki Marae was packed for the breakfast afterward.

Also packed were the Cosmodome sessions, and the Puanga Kai Night is always booked out. This year the entertainment was provided by two young people, Te Paerata Tichbon and Rangitūehu Twomey-Waitai.

Yet another highlight was the visit by Jack "Jacko" Thatcher, a traditional navigator from Tauranga. He gave an evening talk and sessions in the Cosmodome for pupils from four schools to learn about navigation by the stars.

A film festival was a new addition, and there were also storytelling, tree planting, star watching and art opportunities on offer.