When Puanga Rises | A Taste of the Season: Kai, Kōrero & Puanga

Fri 17 July
6:00PM - 9:00PM
$50 per person
Bookings essential

As the star Puanga rises over the majestic Taranaki landscape, the Len Lye Centre transforms into a haven of warmth, storytelling, and culinary artistry. Join host Pounamu Skelton and celebrated chef Teresa Julian for an intimate evening honouring the abundant harvest of Puanga and the richness of the season: kai from the whenua, kai from the moana, and rongoā from the ngahere.

Pounamu will guide you through a sensory journey of Puanga — the star that signals renewal and remembrance. Alongside her kōrero, Teresa will present a five-course menu inspired by the teachings of her māmā, where love is the first ingredient in every dish. 

This rare and intimate gathering beneath the stars is a celebration of connection, culture, and cuisine. 
Spaces are limited, so secure your place now to be part of this unforgettable evening. 

Bios:
Pounamu Skelton (Te Atiawa, Taranaki) is an inspiring speaker, kaiako, and leader in food sovereignty, and creator of Māara o Rongo, an organic, bespoke, whenua-grown product line alive with mauri. With her whānau, she established the papakāinga Te Rau o Rongo. Through Tatai Tangata ki te Whenua, she plants seeds of wellness, uplifting people and whenua.

Teresa Julian (Taranaki, Ngāti Maniapoto) is a Taranaki-based chef raised beside the sea in Taipa, where her love of kai was nurtured by her māmā, Charmaine. Trained at WITT and shaped by community cooking, Teresa blends Asian, Mediterranean, and Māori influences, believing food is a love language grounded in aroha.