Experience 'Puanga' at Viaduct Harbour for Matariki ki te Manawa

Haere Mai! Come down and experience this immersive installation by Tuhirangi Blair for Matariki ki te Manawa, between 6am and 10pm, 14–30 June.

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In celebration of Matariki ki te Manawa, Viaduct Harbour is proud to present 'Puanga', an immersive installation conceived by London-based Māori Creative Director Tuhirangi Blair (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) in collaboration with local Installation Artist Angus Muir. Located in Auckland's Market Square, Puanga will be accessible for the public to experience from 14 – 30 June, between 6AM and 10PM.

Drawing reference to Puanga (Rigel), the installation by Angus Muir features a simple yet captivating cube structure which houses a programmable LED panel and an internal mirror finish, creating a kaleidoscope of reflections, multiplying the artwork and the viewer. Brought to life by sound, the interior is an intimate experience, where multitudes of a light panel is reflected off the walls and ceiling, bearing reference to the night sky and placing the viewer in the centre of a small universe. The exterior is treated in a dichroic finish, catching refractions of different colored light.

Blair explains Puanga’s relevance to Matariki and the inspiration behind his masterpiece: “Puanga explores the Māori concept of timekeeping through celestial navigation. While Matariki (Pleiades) is widely recognized as the signifier of the new year, Puanga (Rigel) held significance for certain iwi (tribes) in the far north, Chatham Islands, parts of the west coast, and much of the South Island. This wasn't a rejection of Matariki, but rather a nuanced system where stars like Puanga, Tautoru (Orion's Belt), and Pipiri (Canopus) worked together. For Ngāti Whātua (Tāmaki Makaurau Mana Whenua), Puanga held particular importance”

Blair continues, “known as Puanga Kakaho (Puanga the Fair Haired), this star embodies a captivating yet contentious narrative. She desires to be the sole herald of the new year, constantly adorning herself to attract Tama-nui-te-rā (the Sun) and rise beside him in the month of Pipiri. The installation reflects this story. The dichroic outer shell mimics the star's colorful spectrum, while the mirrored walls evoke themes of vanity. A large-scale LED light illuminates this narrative, a dazzling display vying for attention, mirroring Puanga's efforts to outshine Matariki.”

Click here to visit the Event Page on Facebook.

DATES — 14 – 30 June

TIMES — Puanga is free and fully accessible for the public to experience between 6AM–10PM.

LOCATION — Market Square, 103 Customs Street West, Auckland 1010