Rereata Makiha

While today marks the celebration of the Maori new year across the country, for many Maori on the West Coast, festivities have come and gone. All iwi celebrate the Maori New Year in June or July, but not all refer to it as Matariki. Instead, this time of year is called 'Puanga'. Maori news journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke to tohunga Rereata Makiha, who last week lead Puanga celebrations in his home of Hokianga. He says its an ancient practice brought over by Aotearoa's very first explorers.