What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in winter and, with other significant star markers, heralds the start of the Māori new year.
This cluster is significant to many cultures around the world, and who know it by different names eg:
- In Greek history, and many Western countries, it is known as Pleiades
- In Japan, it is known as Subaru, which means ‘to come together’
- In China it is known as Mao, the hairy head of the white tiger
- In India it is known as Krittika
and there are many more.
When is Matariki 2026?
This year, the Matariki public holiday will be celebrated on
Friday 10th July 2026.
Matariki appears in the eastern sky before dawn, during winter, observed in the lunar month of Pipiri or Hongongoi (around June and July).
Some iwi, or tribes, start celebrations when Matariki is first seen, other iwi wait until the lunar phase of Tangaroa (the last quarter phase of the moon), to celebrate. The date for the Matariki public holiday is determined by the moon phase and this is why it changes on the calendar each year.
This year the Tangaroa moon phase will occur from 8 July to 11 July 2026.
What is the difference between Matariki and Puanga?
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Matariki signals the beginning of the Māori New Year. However, Iwi in some locations favour the rise of Puanga. This is often in places where Matariki sits low in the eastern horizon and is therefore not always visible from their location.
Why celebrate Matariki?
Traditionally, Matariki is a time to acknowledge those whom had passed to release their spirits; to reflect, plan, be thankful; and come together to feast and share the bounty of the harvest.
Matariki was a time to:
- gather with whānau, reflecting on the year
- remember those who had passed away
- offerings were made to the stars and associated atua who would help provide good crops
- maara (gardens) were planned and new trees were planted
- There was celebration of the harvest and preparation for the upcoming year.
Many of these traditional celebrations are still practiced today, however there are many others ways that Matariki is celebrated. Most celebrations focus around arts and waiata, food and people gathering together.
Matariki public holiday
Matariki became an official public holiday in New Zealand on April 12, 2022, when the Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act was passed. The inaugural Matariki public holiday was subsequently celebrated nationwide on June 24, 2022.
- First Māori Holiday: It is Aotearoa’s first public holiday to recognize Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) and indigenous knowledge.
- Floating Date: Unlike fixed holidays, the exact date is dictated by the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). It always falls on a Friday in late June or early July.30-Year
Celebrating Matariki as a season.
While Matariki is now a public holiday, celebrations extend through the winter season, and are concentrated around the Tangaroa moon phase.
I’m proud that Matariki is recognised as a national day, and I hope it brings connection, reverence, celebration to many, and continues to deepen knowledge around te Ao Maori.
Instead of focusing on a single day, Matariki can be celebrated as a festive season with important themes:
- Remembrance: Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki.
- Celebrating the Present: Gathering together to give thanks for what we have.
- Looking to the Future: Looking forward to the promise of a new year.
Our own connection to Matariki begins in Pipiri / June. We bring in little rituals to acknowledge this special time – waiata, weaving, time together, sharing kai, planting, lantern making and walks, sharing stories, remembrance. Remembering goodbyes, I look to the starry skies with awe and ponder such vastness.
Heralding a new year
Beginning the new year in winter months clicks with me. It’s how it is done in the Northern Hemisphere.
Days cool, nature draws in, drops leaves, conserving energy through these cooler days. The light grows less, until the solstice, then the light grows again. There’s magic in this time of embracing light and dark. I love the spiral inward, time for rest and reflection, from where planning and action can spring forth.
Matariki is near this solstice time, but instead of observing the sun, it follows the maramataka, the moon calendar, observed by the stars and the moon.
The cluster of stars, rises in midwinter and for many Māori, heralds the start of the new year.
The 9 stars of Matariki each reflect elements of nature and being. Traditionally they are looked upon look for insight into the year ahead.
Insight that was crucial when we relied upon the seasons to guide and work with the land and sea. I’ve yet to learn to read the stars but nonetheless, taking time to reflect on the source of things is an important value in my life and one lost in our modern society of conveniences.
My children surely roll their eyes but I continue to bring them to consider them where things come from, to be mindful, and learn to be thankful.
Because we still need to work with the land and sea. Or what world will there’s be? I.
Resources for Matariki:
MATARIKI CELEBRATION IDEAS –
Here are some Matariki celebration ideas – many ways to create meaning and tradition with tamariki and whānau.
MATARIKI ACTIVITY BOOK –
67 pages of Matariki Activities – perfect for classroom or home.
Includes Matariki crafts, recipes, waiata, night sky posters, pepeha, Māori games and more!
Instant download + print as you need.
Look inside the Matariki Activity Book >>
View Matariki Activity Book resource on TPT >>
ACTIVITIES TO HONOUR LOVED ONES AT MATARIKI –
A list of special activities to honour and remember loved ones which can be lovely to include at the time of Matariki.
SEASONS BEYOND MATARIKI –
Beyond Matariki , te taiao can be a great teacher.
The Seasonal Maramataka helps to connect kids to the world outside the classroom, their place in the world, and teaches te reo Māori days, months ans seasons along the way.
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