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Puanga Matariki - June 2009

Mid winter for the Nazareth residents each year means celebrating Puanga Matiriki.  Like many others now marking this Maori New Year Festival, the residents joined in with reflection, fun, and food.  

The time began with a special Chapel Service which brought to mind the special season when the stars of Puanga and of Matariki mark the change of season, and a prayer of thanksgiving for the gifts of the earth was offered.

This year the tradition of celebrating one of the various groups of peoples making up our society of Aotearoa New Zealand has continued.   Children and parents from the Born and Raised Pacifika Early Childhood Centre visited and entertained the residents.   The residents had prepared by decorating the lounge with palm trees and hibiscus flowers, and staff joined them in wearing lavalavas, leis and shell necklaces. 

A special lunch of mussel patties, coconut fish and tropical fruit salad was then enjoyed by the residents.

Residents welcome the children from the Pacifika Early Childhood Centre