Treat your whanau to Pukapuka Adventures - a FREE event for families to share magical moments and ignite imaginations!
Scroll down to explore some of our favourite picks from the programme!
The Farmer's Pyjama Party
16 MAY | 10 - 10.30AM
Lions, dinosaurs, jellyfish and kiwi – this is not your average farm! Get curious in this sparkling interactive read-aloud by Ruth Paul as she brings a handful of her charming picture books off the page and onto the stage using props and sound. You’ll even get to giggle along to her brand-new picture book The Farmer’s Pyjamas. And yes – you’re welcome to wear your pyjamas!
Junior Sleuths Wanted!
16 MAY | 12.15 - 12.45PM
Join Detective Stanley for a mystery-solving adventure that will put your sleuthing skills to the test. Work alongside creators of the Detective Stanley series, Hannah Tunnicliffe and Erica Harrison, to uncover clues, assess the suspects and pronounce: “Case Closed!” Junior Detectives will leave with instructions for drawing Stanley and creating their very own comic-strip mystery. Recommended for 5+ but all ages welcome.
Kupu Found
17 MAY | 10 - 10.30AM
"My Mum is collecting words. You see, a long time ago, lots of the words were left out or replaced. Slowly they were forgotten.” Author Kimberley Ngareta Kearney (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe) shares her touching pukapuka The Lost Words where a mother reclaims te reo Māori for her family. Afterwards, tamariki and their adults are invited to take part in a playful game, learning everyday kupu they can use together beyond the Festival.
Ready to Rock!
16 MAY | 2.15 - 2.45pm
Meet Violet Grumble, rock star in the making, and her band of ragtag friends. Armed with big band dreams and plenty of mysteries to unravel, join author Rachael King as she takes you on a wild ride through her loveable series Violet and the Velvets. Expect an electric event of music and storytelling, sure to inspire your own mystery stories. Recommended for 5+ but all ages welcome.
Action Stations
16 & 17 MAY | Saturday - 10AM to 3.30PM | Sunday - 10AM to 12PM
Celebrating Ruth Paul’s new book The Farmer’s Pyjamas, kids can add their own animals to her giant farm scene, get creative at the craft tables making wobbly jellyfish and Granny P’s car Lulubug, and pick up a scavenger hunt to explore the Festival in search of every hidden item. Over in Aotea Square, they can colour a bird illustration by Giselle Clarkson and add it to the sky display, then settle into the cosy reading caves for a quiet moment with a good book.
Click here to see the full Pukapuka Adventures programme.
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