So far Te Ara Pukapuka has travelled around the city from Churchill Park in Seatoun, to Khandallah Park, to Kilbirnie Park, to Waihinahina Park in Newlands, to Karori Park, to the latest installment which will be arriving at Central Park on May 11!
For the Autumn 2024 installment at Central Park we have a brand new pukapuka that has been carefully chosen for this location. Wellington City Libraries and Wellington City Parks, Sport & Recreation got in touch with Upstream: Friends of Central Park and asked them if there were any particular themes, any critters or creatures that lived around the park that they’d like to see featured in the selected book. We received their list, and we think that the book we’ve chosen aligns very nicely with their suggestions.
The chosen book features a creature that can be frequently seen at Central Park. In the book, this creature has a very important mission, keeping harmful creatures out of Tane’s forest, and we also get to learn some information about this creature too.
But we’re not telling you what it is yet! Keep an eye out right here on the Kids’ Blog and we’ll reveal the selected pukapuka, along with some photos of the installation process, once it’s up and ready to be read over at Central Park. Who knows, if you get in early you might get to the park and find the book before we announce it!
What book will you find at Central Park?
But what is Te Ara Pukapuka?
Te Ara Pukapuka is a children’s walk where you get to read a wonderful pukapuka as you get out and explore nature. The first page of the story will be displayed at the start of the track, then as you follow the path along you also read a story.
Each pukapuka selected for Te Ara Pukapuka is by a New Zealand author, and we match the subject matter of the book to the natural surroundings in each park.
While you’re pondering which book we’ve selected for Te Ara Pukapuka at Central Park, why not check out some of the pukapuka featured in previous installations around the city?
The taniwha of Wellington Harbour / Wairama, Moira
“Retelling of the legend of how Wellington Harbour was created. In ancient times in Aotearoa, there was a beautiful lake in which there dwelt two monstrous taniwha. Their names were Whataitai and Ngake. Whataitai and Ngake are two taniwha living in a beautiful lake, however when Ngake gets bored and decides to break free into the ocean his actions have far reaching consequences and help shape the landscape of our capital city. Suggested level: junior, primary.” (Catalogue)
Watch out, snail / Hay, Gay
“In the New Zealand bush, a native Powelliphanta Snail must escape from a variety of predators, including a possum, a hedgehog and a wild pig. Includes factual information on Powelliphanta and New Zealand wildlife, and an English-to-Maori glossary. Suggested level: junior.” (Catalogue)
The promise of Puanga : a story for Matariki / Wadsworth, Kirsty
“There is a bright new star in the winter sky — Puanga, cousin to the Matariki sisters. Each year, she appears to the people of Aotearoa, a special sign (for those unable to see Matariki) that winter and the Māori new year are coming. With themes of friendship, family, Māori tradition and the empowerment of young women”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)
Flit the Fantail and the flying flop / Merewether, Katherine Q.
“‘Flit the baby fantail is not allowed to fly. “Stay here, little Flit. Your wings are not strong enough for flying,” say Ma and Pa Fantail. “Stay safe inside the nest.” But Flit is bored. And hungry. A tasty mozzie lures him out of his nest. “I CAN fly,” he calls, before he hits the ground with a THUD. How will he get back to his nest? Join Flit and his friends, Kiki the kaka, rascally robins Bit and Bob, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru as they exercise some teamwork. Can they figure out a way to help Flit back to his nest safely before Ma and Pa return?”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)
Tama and the taniwha / Koster, Melanie
“Don’t put your puku in the water! The taniwha will get you! Tama’s big sisters to scare him. Is he brave enough to dive into the lake? And will a glittery, flashy-splashy taniwha get him?”–Back cover” (Catalogue)