Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, which rises in the midwinter sky and marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. This special time of year invites us to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future, anchored in values of whakapapa, whanaungatanga, and wairua.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is short for Ngā mata o te ariki o Tāwhirimātea meaning “the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea.” According to Māori tradition, Tāwhirimātea, the god of the winds, tore out his eyes in grief and cast them into the heavens, when his brothers separated their parents, creating the Matariki cluster.
The return of Matariki signals the start of a new year in the Māori lunar calendar.
It is a time to:
•. Remember loved ones who have passed
•. Give thanks for the present
•. Set intentions for the future
When is Matariki?
The appearance of Matariki typically occurs between late June and early July, depending on the lunar calendar and the visibility of the stars. The official Matariki public holiday in Aotearoa is based on expert consultation and aligns with the lunar phase known as Tangaroa in the month of Pipiri.
Upcoming dates:
•. 2025: 20 June
•. 2026: 10 July
How Long Has Matariki Been Celebrated?
Matariki has been part of Māori culture for generations, once widely observed throughout Aotearoa. While colonisation suppressed many of these traditions, recent decades have seen a powerful revival. Today, Matariki is celebrated across the motu as well as other parts of the world and not only by Māori but by people of all cultures who now call Aotearoa home.
In 2022, Matariki became New Zealand’s first official public holiday grounded in te ao Māori, a milestone moment in recognising our indigenous heritage.
How You Can Celebrate Matariki at Home
Matariki is about connection - to each other, to our tīpuna, and to the natural world. Here are simple ways you can observe Matariki, no matter where you are:
1. Reflect and Remember
Take time to honour those who have passed. Share stories, light a candle, or say their names aloud. This is especially important in the first part of the celebration.
2. Enjoy a Shared Meal (Kai)
Gather with whānau or friends and enjoy a special winter meal. Cooking together and giving thanks for what you have is a powerful way to celebrate the present.
3. Set Intentions for the Year Ahead
Matariki is like a Māori New Year’s resolution. What do you want to focus on in the coming year? Write your goals down or share them with others.
4. Stargazing
Get up before dawn and look to the northeast horizon, you might catch the twinkling stars of Matariki. Even if you can’t see them, the act of turning your attention to the sky is symbolic.
5. Try a Hautapu Ceremony
Hautapu involves cooking kai to offer the steam as a gift to the stars. You can do this at home by preparing food connected to the stars (like kūmara or seafood), saying a karakia, and letting the steam rise at dawn.
A Celebration for Everyone
While Matariki is deeply rooted in Māori tradition, it is a celebration that welcomes all. Whether you’re Māori or non-Māori, you can participate respectfully and meaningfully by learning, listening, and sharing in the spirit of remembrance and renewal.
Matariki is about connection, community, and culture. It reminds us to pause, give thanks, and look ahead with hope.
Mānawatia a Matariki – Celebrate Matariki.
