Haere mai and welcome to a special dinner to celebrate Puanga – the Māori New Year.

This event is officially sold out – please contact our events team, to be added to our waitlist. events@novotelnewplymouth.com

Puanga is a time to gather cherished ones to reflect on the present, celebrate the past, and plan for the future. For this third year running, Haukai Bistro & Bar will present an immersive gastronomic evening, hosted by Damon Ritai from Taranaki Iwi and with special guest Pounamu Skelton.

Echoing the ethos of love for the land and respect for the sea, Haukai Bistro & Bar Executive Chef Richard Ponder, has crafted a menu designed around the stars from the Puanga cluster. The ingredients for the menu, has been locally sourced from Taranaki land where possible. 

This extraordinary six-course degustation will create an unforgettable and magical evening of the stars celebration, Maori New year and culinary indulgence.

When: Thursday 9th July 2026

Time: 6pm (Doors open | 6:30pm First course served)

Price: Six Course Degustation | $139 per person 

Dine & Stay Package 

Two tickets to the six-course degustation, a night’s stay in a King Superior room for the night of the evening of 9th July, with two full buffet breakfast the following morning, late check out of 1pm and a reserved car park | $499

Menu

(Please note due to the nature of this event, dietary requirements cannot be catered for)

Hei Timatanga – To start

Paramanawa – Chef snacks

* 

Kanewha – Raw Fish

Pigeon Berry, Horopito, Cucumber 

Hua Ririki, Horopito, Kūkama

* 

Kaiwaiwai Tuatua – Tuatua Broth

Rēwana, Parsley Root, Kawakawa Beurre Blanc, Potato 

Rēwana, Paiaka Pāhiri, Kīnaki Pata Kawakawa, Taewa

* 

Rakiraki – Duck

Oyster Mushroom, Pumpkin, Fermented Chilli, Mānuka Smoke 

Hārore, Paukena, Hiri Pirau, Paoa Mānuka

* 

Kiko Kūao Hipi – Lamb 

Kūmara, Potato, Onion, Puha Jus 

Kūmara, Taewa, Aniana, Wairanu Puha

* 

Kiko Tia – Venison 

Beetroot, Black Garlic, Cacao 

Rengakura, Kāriki Uriuri, Kōkō

* 

Pūrini Kawakawa – Kawakawa Dessert

Honey, Citrus, Cream 

Mīere, Waikawa Rēmana, Kirīmi

* 

He Kai Pūrini Iti – Petit Fours 

Dark Chocolate & Kawakawa Bonbon, Rēwana Doughnut

Tiakarete Me Te Rare Kawakawa, Tōnati Rēwana

Puanga

Tahia tahia te tau ki te pō

Ko Puanga te kaipūranga i ngā mate 

Ko Puanga te whetū taki o te tau

Tīhei mauriora

Puanga acknowledges those who have passed during the year, we farewell them.

Puanga signals the arrival of winter and the new year.

Puanga is the time to spend with whānau around the fire giving thanks for the recent harvest,

sharing stories, waiata, genealogies and making plans for the warmer months.

Terms & Conditions

Bookings are essential. R18 only. No refunds after 1st July 2026.