Matariki - Where to Celebrate the Māori New Year in 2025
by Avya Hlavac | Photos by Smoke PhotographyTable of contents
Beyond a public holiday, Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year.
It is a time for New Zealanders to come together to acknowledge the meaning of Matariki, participate in community events and embrace the indigenous culture of New Zealand.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about Matariki in 2025.
From the history of Matariki to a full list of where to celebrate in Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch and Wellington.
What is the story of Matariki?
The acknowledgement of Matariki in New Zealand is three years young and many do not know the meaning behind the holiday.
Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster, the Pleiades. Its annual rising in the mid-winter sky signals the beginning of the Māori New Year.
For Māori communities, this period is steeped in custom, blending remembrance with celebration.
Matariki invites people to slow down, reconnect with whānau, share kai, and reflect on the year that's been.
It's a time to honour those who've passed and set intentions for the year ahead.
Is Matariki an official public holiday?
Matariki became a public holiday in New Zealand in 2022, marking a historic moment of recognition for te ao Māori (the Māori worldview).
It is the first public holiday grounded in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems), celebrated annually between late June and early July.
In 2025, Matariki will be observed on Friday, 20 June.
How is Matariki celebrated?
Matariki is celebrated via a range of events and activities across New Zealand.
You might find:
- Stargazing events and astronomy-focused storytelling
- Whānau gatherings and shared feasts
- Kapa haka, waiata and cultural performances
- Remembrance ceremonies honouring ancestors
- Art, light, and food festivals in city centres
Many people choose to reflect on the past year and set new intentions—personally, professionally, or spiritually.
When is the best time to view the Matariki stars?
The Matariki cluster is best viewed just before dawn, low in the northeastern sky.
The ideal time to see it is around 5:00–6:30 am during the weeks surrounding the official holiday when the stars rise before the sun and the sky is still dark and clear.
Dark, rural areas or local astronomy events often provide the best viewing conditions.
Look for a tight grouping of tiny stars near the constellation of Taurus!
Where to celebrate Matariki in New Zealand
Though the acknowledgment of Matiriki is three years young in New Zealand, more events and activities are slowly but surely emerging each year.
Below, we've listed the top Matariki events in New Zealand's major regions this winter.
Auckland|Tāmaki Makaurau
There’s so much happening across Tāmaki Makaurau this year to celebrate Matariki. From large-scale public festivals and immersive light installations to intimate concerts, markets, and whānau-friendly workshops, the city is alive with opportunities to reflect, connect and celebrate. Here’s just a glimpse of what the City of Sails has to offer this Matariki season.
Matariki Events in Auckland 2025
Matariki Festival 2025
📍 Location TBC | 7 June - 13 July
Gather with whānau to reflect on the past year, look ahead to the future, and celebrate the present through shared kai, storytelling, ceremony, and entertainment.
Learn more here.
Tūrama
📍 Queen Street, Central Auckland | 1 Jun - 13 Jul
A large-scale light installation trail illuminating the city centre as part of Matariki ki te Manawa.
Learn more here.
Taurima
📍 Elliott Street, Central Auckland | 12 June - 7 August
Floating crochet-like neon artworks light up the laneways in this whimsical city centre installation.
Learn more here.
Matariki Night Markets at SkyCity
📍 SkyCity, Central Auckland | 29 Jun - 06 Jul
A buzzing night market of Māori and Pasifika food stalls beneath the Sky Tower, accompanied by live DJs and festive atmosphere.
Learn more here.
Matariki Ahunga Nui
📍 Auckland Art Gallery | Until 28 June
A reflective event honouring the theme of gathering and abundance, through art and storytelling.
Learn more here.
Matariki at Auckland Museum
📍 Parnell | June–July
Experience a rich line-up of events including the revitalisation of the historic waka Te Toki a Tapiri, light projections on the Museum façade, the interactive Te Ara o Matariki trail, and a fashion capsule by Lucky Dip celebrating the Matariki stars.
Learn more here.
Wellington | Pōneke
Wellington lights up for Matariki with a bold, city-wide celebration of Māori culture, remembrance, and renewal. Highlights include Matariki Ahi Kā, a captivating four-night experience along the waterfront featuring fire sculptures, projections, performances, and kai. Mana Moana Pōneke brings indigenous short films to life on a water screen in Whairepo Lagoon—blending light, music and storytelling.
Matariki Events in Wellington 2025
Matariki Ahi Kā
📍 Wellington Waterfront & Te Papa | 19–22 June, 6–9pm
A spectacular waterfront celebration featuring fire, projections, live performances and nightly remembrance ceremonies. This immersive walk-through honours the Māori New Year with kai courts, culture, and community.
Learn more here.
Mana Moana Pōneke
📍 Whairepo Lagoon | 7–8, 14–15, 19–22 June, 6–9pm
An evocative series of short films by Māori and Pasifika artists, projected onto a water screen in the lagoon. Each piece explores our connection to the ocean through music, choreography and storytelling.
Learn more here.
Rotorua
Rotorua marks Matariki with sacred dawn ceremonies, dazzling drone shows, night markets, live music and bilingual theatre, making it one of the most vibrant regions in Aotearoa to celebrate the Māori New Year.
Matariki Events in Rotorua 2025
Tohunga Tūmau Dinner
📍 Energy Events Centre | 13 June
A five-course indigenous dining experience that celebrates Māori cuisine and storytelling in a refined, collaborative setting.
Learn more here.
Aronui Arts Festival Drone Show
📍 Rotorua Lakefront | 27 - 28 June
A spectacular Matariki storytelling experience told through synchronised drones and light displays above the lake.
Learn more here.
Rotorua Night Market – Matariki Edition
📍 Rotorua Lakefront | 19–20 June
An expanded night market with kai, crafts, and artisan stalls—featuring past Aronui Māori Market favourites alongside regular vendors.
Learn more here.
Whānau Fun Day at Te Puia
📍 Te Puia | 20 June
A full day of interactive fun with family activities, cultural performances, and entertainment for all ages.
Learn more here.
Te Mātahi o te Tau ft. 1814
📍 Sir Howard Morrison Centre | 21 June
Celebrate the Māori New Year with a high-energy night of live music featuring 1814, Jordyn with a Why, and R67.
Learn more here.
Matariki Glow Show
📍 Sir Howard Morrison Centre | 22 June
A free, bilingual theatre show for tamariki, filled with vibrant visuals and Matariki storytelling.
Learn more here.
Christchurch | Ōtautahi
Ōtautahi comes alive for Matariki with a city-centre celebration of art, light, and community spirit. From Riverside Market’s glowing installations and free cultural festivities, to the family-friendly Matariki Glow Show and a bustling three-day Mākete, Christchurch offers a heartfelt and hands-on way to connect with the Māori New Year.
Matariki Events in Christchurch 2025
- Matariki Weekend at Riverside Market
📍 Riverside Market | 18–22 June
Celebrate Matariki with a weekend of festivities at Riverside, featuring light installations, interactive displays, local food, and a vibrant sense of community. A free, whānau-friendly celebration at the heart of Christchurch.
Learn more here.
- Matariki Glow Show
📍 Isaac Theatre Royal | 8 June, 10am & 12pm
A magical glow-in-the-dark theatre experience for tamariki and families, complete with giant characters, including a five-metre taniwha. Presented by The Glow Show Company.
Learn more here.
- Matariki Mākete
📍 Market Square | 19–21 June
A three-day celebration of toi (art), kai (food), and whanaungatanga (connection), with 60+ local artisan stalls, live performances, and delicious food trucks. Free and open to all.
Learn more here.
Why does Matariki matter?
Observing Matariki is more than gaining a public holiday—it symbolises an acknowledgement and celebration of Māori culture in New Zealand.
Whether you're planning a stargazing mission, a community event, or a shared meal with family, Matariki invites us all to look up, look back, and look forward.
Planning an event or gathering for Matariki?
