In NZ Maori culture, Pukana is "the innermost expression of Wairua, or Spirit, being released". It is often portrayed as a facial grimace with particular emphasis on widening and rolling ones eyes and is intended to convey an initmidating appearance. It is often accompanied with poking ones tongue out and making truly gutteral noises at the back of ones throat. Children such as the one here learn these expressions as part of their cultural singing and dancing performances. They of course freely practice pukana and other things in the course of their daily play. Like many New Zealanders this girl is blessed with a blended Euro-Polynesian ancestry.