Latest news with #Taranaki
RNZ News
a day ago
- Science
- RNZ News
Live: Watch Matariki celebrations with Whakaata Māori
The theme for this year's holiday is Matariki mā Puanga - which highlights the star Puanga or Rigel - an important star in the astronomical traditions of many iwi especially in the western half of New Zealand, in areas such as Taranaki, Whanganui and parts of Northland. In late autumn and early winter Puanga can be seen in the eastern night sky. To find Puanga look to the eastern horizon above the three stars of Tautoru or Orion's Belt. The national Matariki ceremony is being hosted this year by Ngāti Rangi, at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Ruapehu. The Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po will be in attendance at Tirorangi alongside other dignitaries including Ministers Paul Goldsmith and Tama Potaka. Whakaata Māori is marking Matariki mā Puanga 2025 with a live broadcast from Tirorangi Marae in Ohakune. Join Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) and Mātai Smith (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri) for korero, entertainment and official government addresses. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Pātea school principal remembers six-year-old killed in boating accident
By Maisie Arnold-Brown Six-year-old Zane loved school and cared deeply for his friends and teachers, according to his principal at Pātea Area School, James Davidson. Photo: Supplied/Pātea Area School A six-year-old boy, who died in a boating accident in Pātea, is remembered as a "boy filled with aroha", according to his school principal. Two people died after a boat capsized off the coast of Taranaki on Sunday. Stuff has reported his stepmother also died, when the boat was swamped by a wave, and his father - the boat's skipper - was the sole survivor. Pātea Area School principal James Davidson said Zane Milham loved school. "Everyone who met Zane instantly fell in love with his cheeky grin and zest for life," Davidson said. "He cared deeply for his friends and those around him," he said. "He showed genuine affection for his teachers and support staff, always offering a cheerful wave or a friendly greeting. "His joy was truly infectious." He said Zane never missed a day of school, rain or shine, and was always eager and excited to learn. "On weekends and after school, he could often be seen riding his trike around the grounds, proudly knocking on windows to show off the skids he had been practising," Davidson said. Investigators at the scene, as the a boat that capzized off the coast of South Taranaki is retrieved. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin He said the school community had been deeply affected by his death and Zane was already missed "immensely". Staff and students had shown incredible resilience, as they rallied around one another, he said, sharing memories of Zane and honouring his life. In a statement provided to Stuff on Thursday, a family member said: "It's with great sadness of the family that we are announcing the passing of our beloved son. "Fly high our little friend, hunting and fishing forever." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks watch: Jamie Wall and Joe Porter's main talking points
Codie Taylor leads an All Blacks haka against England. Photo: photosport All Black squad naming Midday, Monday 18 June Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki Live blog updates on RNZ We're only days away from NZ Rugby chairperson David Kirk takes to the podium to announce this year's first All Black squad. RNZ's Joe Porter and Jamie Wall will be at Coastal, the home club of the Barrett family, for the naming and weigh up the main issues here ahead of the big day. Extras The biggest surprise last season was when we were introduced to Scott Robertson's first squad, only to watch Sam Cane, Josh Lord and Peter Lakai file in with them. None of them had initially been named, but it didn't matter as from that point onward they all were part of the All Blacks' campaign - particularly Cane , who went on to achieve the milestone of 100 tests. So does this happen again this season? There are a number of positions that will require more than the usual amount of depth, so maybe we'll have to wait till the squad's assembly to actually find out the true depth. Midfield mix We've seen a lot of compelling cases from the country's midfielders, arguably mostly from Billy Proctor, to shake up the combination this year. It's likely that Jordie Barrett will go straight back in, but with France sending a low-strength side there will be room for some experimentation. Billy Proctor. Photo: Abe Arredondo/Photosport Proctor is gunning for Rieko Ioane's spot, but then there's also Quinn Tupaea's excellent form to consider too. Braydon Ennor has been starting every game for the Crusaders, but the big one is around Timoci Tavatavanawai and what he can potentially bring as a wrecking ball who can also shift to the wing if possible. Loose forward puzzle Most would agree that Du'Plessis Kirifi deserves his shot at test level. However, if you consider Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi are guaranteed starters at number eight and blindside, it leaves the All Blacks with a comparatively diminutive back row and therefore less lineout options. Does that open the door for Luke Jacobson? Or will Ethan Blackadder's big work rate see him get the nod? The race for the 10 jersey We're really no wiser as to who will start at first five after two elite performances over the play-offs by Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. But while one will obviously start, another big question is what role the other will play. Will Jordan is fit again and is a natural selection at fullback, so does that mean the 23 jersey or simply out of the match day squad entirely for either Barrett or McKenzie? Then there's Ruben Love, whose stock as a utility went up massively thanks to a successful stint at 10 for the Hurricanes. Beauden Barrett of the Blues tackled by Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Mr Waterbottles The third hooker and halfback spots are usually there to simply assist with training, however this season there are some interesting storylines. Ioane Moananu looked set for a deserved call up till George Bell returned from injury and took the Crusaders' bench role, you'd think Bell's experience last year will give him the inside running. Meanwhile, Cam Roigard is almost certainly the starting halfback, it's a bit of an open field behind him. Like Bell, Noah Hotham returned to take back his spot from the impressive Kyle Preston. Then there's Cortez Ratima, Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava to choose from. Will there be room for the leavers? Cane's surprise appearance last year was enough to draw gasps, but there probably won't be that much of a reaction if Mark Tele'a gets included. The winger's form has been consistent in an inconsistent Blues season and his status as a starter on the Northern Tour last season clearly shows the coaching staff's regard for him. As to Joe's point above around an expanded squad, the precedent set by Cane and TJ Perenara's inclusion last year theoretically leaves the door open for anyone heading offshore. It'd be a pretty long shot to see the likes of Shaun Stevenson getting a call up, but if there are a run of injuries anything's on the table.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Stratford Library Hosting Award Winning Authors For Free Event – Mysteries By The Mountain
In a first for Taranaki, the Ngaio Marsh Awards and Stratford Library invite book lovers to a thrilling evening of criminally good conversation with three talented kiwi storytellers on Wednesday 25 June, 6pm to 7.30pm. Ngaio Marsh Awards winner and New Plymouth novelist Jacqueline Bublitz is joined by fellow award-winning Taranaki author Steph Matuku (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Te Atiawa), and Melbourne-based sports columnist turned debut author Geoff Parkes (originally from King Country), to discuss creating memorable characters and page-turning stories, the impact of people and place, and what inspires them as writers. This mid-winter mystery meeting is a free event, but registrations are required as numbers are limited. To RSVP visit for the online registration form, email library@ or phone 06 765 5403. Stratford Library and Visitor Information Centre Team Leader, Bridget Roper is excited to have the opportunity to bring these talented voices together at Stratford Library. 'We have such a vibrant community of keen readers here, and we jumped at the chance to bring some authors in to inspire both readers and aspiring writers in our district,' says Bridget. 'These events don't come around too often, and we're extremely grateful to Ngaio Marsh Awards for helping us to deliver the event free of charge.' 'A cosy night in at the Library listening to some literary legends – what more could you want!' says Bridget. About Ngaio Marsh Awards: This year is the 15th anniversary season of the Ngaio Marsh Awards. The Ngaio Marsh Awards are literary awards presented annually in New Zealand to recognise excellence in crime fiction, mystery, and thriller writing. The Awards were established by journalist and legal editor Craig Sisterson in 2010, and are named after Dame Ngaio Marsh, one of the four Queens of Crime of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Wharenui Harikoa Welcomes Matariki 2025 At The Civic
In celebration of Matariki 2025, the nation's woollen wharenui returns to her place of origin — Tāmaki Makaurau. Wharenui Harikoa, the world's first crocheted wharenui, will open at The Civic in Auckland from 5 - 27 July – marking a powerful act of homecoming and aroha. Returning to her place of conception, creation and cultural roots is somewhat of an offering and a final gift to Aotearoa before she begins her international journey. Created by artists Lissy (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi Robinson-Cole (Taranaki, Ngāti Pāoa, Waikato, Ngāti Tahu/Ngāti Whaoa), the wharenui was born from a vision gifted in 2018. Crocheted with vibrant neon wool, it merges traditional Māori practices with modern technology, bringing joy, colour and connection to Aotearoa. 'This whare is aroha made physical,' says Lissy Cole. 'Stepping inside feels like entering the embrace of your kuia. It's a deeply maternal, deeply Māori experience rooted in aroha.' Presented by Auckland Live in collaboration with Lissy and Rudi, Wharenui Harikoa is a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience. Visitors are welcomed by karanga, drawn into the heart of the whare via a shifting soundscape created with taonga pūoro artist Libby Gray (Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Uepōhatu, Tama Ūpoko Ki Te Awa o Wanganui Me Ngāti Tūwharetoa anō Hoki) and musician Rewi McClay (Ngati Hine, Ngati Kahu). Lighting transitions from warm tones to pulses of fluro, guiding guests from the physical into the wairua realm. Every detail is intentional – each colour in the whare is described and given a te reo Māori name and vibration that supports visual and audio accessibility. The experience invites stillness, dreaming and reflection. The whare welcomes all visitors, children and kaumātua to experience the aroha of Wharenui Harikoa. To date, over 160,000 people have experienced the whare across Aotearoa. During Matariki, visitors will be invited to write their dreams at the foot of Hiwa or add to the sensory wall. These sacred hopes will be scanned and archived as a living taonga, and burned in a ceremonial release next Matariki. 'Wharenui Harikoa has become a vessel for dreaming, and healing. Connecting all people, and igniting joy globally', says Rudi Robinson-Cole. On 4 July the Sky Tower will light up marking the opening. From 5 July, the public can visit Wharenui Harikoa at The Civic. Entry is free, with donations welcomed via QR code to support more free and low-cost events presented by Auckland Live in Tāmaki Makaurau. Visitors can also register for a paid crochet workshop and free guided tours with the artists. 'We are excited to be presenting this extraordinary taonga in The Civic, where Aucklanders and visitors can experience its joy and love,' says Daniel Clarke, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director of Performing Arts, leading Auckland Live. 'We are opening the doors of The Civic, a treasured venue in Tāmaki Makaurau and inviting guests to step on stage and inside Lissy and Rudi's awe-inspiring creation, Wharenui Harikoa. While everyone will experience the Wharenui Harikoa in their own unique way it promises to be an unforgettable experience this winter. I encourage people to take part in one of the public programmes, whether it's a crochet workshop or an artist talk.'
