Matariki celebrations in Te Matau-a-Māui
When the Pleiades star cluster – known as Matariki – appears in the New Zealand sky, it signals the start of a new year.
For Māori, the emergence of Matariki marks the passing of one year and the start of another. It’s a time to remember lost loved ones and celebrate new beginnings, as well as being a period of reflection and regeneration - learn more.
Happy New Zealand new year!
In 2024, the Matariki public holiday is observed on Friday 28 June.
Events will run Friday 14 June to Saturday 29 June. This page will be updated with further event details as they become available.
Sunday 23 June - Friday 28 June
Whānau Marama: Light Show
Learn about Te Whānau Marama - Family of Light and the traditional star compass used by navigators for wayfinding across the Pacific Ocean. A Matariki sensory experience like no other.
6.00pm, 6.30pm, 7.00pm, 7.30pm, 8.00pm
$10, tickets are available from matariki.events
Ātea a Rangi, Waitangi Park, SH51, Awatoto, Napier
Friday 14 June
Matariki Whakanuia ki Tamatea: Celebrate Matariki in Central Hawke's Bay
Kai, entertainment, remembrance and fireworks. Dress up warm to energise the soul and warm the senses in the chill of winter to celebrate Matariki. Russell Park will come alive as a place of connection, remembrance and renewal for all. Come share this special time of the year with us in Waipukurau.
Free entry. 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Russell Park, 10 River Terrace, Waipukurau
Wednesday 19 June
Matariki Tāpuapua: The Pools of Matariki
Write a message of remembrance, reflection and gratitude on a lantern. Witness hundreds of lanterns reflecting on the water. One free lantern per family. These are biodegradable
Kai trucks on site. Acoustic entertainment.
6.00pm to 9.00pm
The Pond, Flaxmere Park, Henderson Road, Flaxmere, Hastings
Friday 21 June
Matariki Whakanuia ki Te Wairoa: Wairoa celebrates Matariki
Kai, entertainment, remembrance and fireworks. Dress up warm to energise the soul and warm the senses in the chill of winter to celebrate Matariki on Friday 21 June.
The Wairoa Community Centre will come alive with Kai so find a table, pull up a seat and join us at this national celebration with live entertainment, and a place of connection, remembrance and renewal for all.
There’s singers, dancers, kapa haka and bands. The finale is a spectacular fireworks display in Alexandra Park.
Free entry. 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Wairoa Community Centre, Alexandra Park, Marine Parade, Wairoa
Tuesday 25 June - Wednesday 26 June
Matariki @ Waiaroha: Hikoi of Remembrance
Float a waka lantern with a personal message of remembrance and healing.
Free entry. 6.00pm-9.00pm
Waiaroha - Heretaunga Water Discovery Centre, Southampton Street, Hastings
Thursday 27 June
Matariki - Whangai I Te Hautapu - Hau Ahi
Pre-dawn ceremony in three parts to observe the stars, call the names of those who passed, and making a food offering to the Matariki star cluster in the form of steam rising to the skies.
Public are welcome to send the full name of a loved one or friend who passed since the last Matariki, to be called aloud in the pre-dawn ceremony. All welcome to be included, send email to terangi@kahungunu.iwi.nz. In the subject, adding MAIMAI AROHA - Name of person to be called aloud.
Free entry, 6.00am to 7.00am
546 Marine Parade, Napier (next to the National Aquarium of New Zealand)
Friday 28 June
Kai Hau Kai Matariki: Celebrate Matariki Hastings
Kai, entertainment, remembrance and fireworks. Dress up warm to re-enrgise the soul and warm the senses in the chill of winter at the second public holiday to celebrate Matariki.
Free entry, 6.00pm to 9.00pm
Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, Percival Road, Hastings
Saturday 29 June
Matariki Mahuika: Storytelling around the fire
Gather around the fires as a storyteller shares tales of old. Waka maimai aroha (lantern) procession - write a message of remembrance, reflection and gratitude on a lantern and launch into Manga Pacific – Te Toka Tu Moana fountain. One free lantern per family. These are biodegradable.
Kai trucks on site.
Free entry. 6pm to 9pm Saturday 29 June.
546 Marine Parade, Napier (next to the National Aquarium of New Zealand)
The ancient wisdom of Matariki
According to the most common Māori legend, when the sky father Ranginui and earth mother Papatūānuku were parted by their children, the god of wind became so enraged he tore out his eyes and hurled them at the heavens to create Matariki. Traditionally, Māori marked the appearance of the stars – and the start of their lunar calendar – by remembering those who had died, sowing seeds for crops and celebrating with feasts and the lighting of ritual fires. Spiritual experts known as tohunga interpreted the stars to predict the weather: clear, bright stars meant a warm, abundant season ahead. In modern New Zealand, Matariki is seen as a time to take stock and face the coming year with renewed vigour.
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