Matariki: New Zealand's Māori New Year, Explained
What Matariki means, why it became a public holiday, and how to experience New Zealand's Māori New Year respectfully — ceremonies, community events, and stargazing.
Photo © Donovan Kelly / Pexels
Matariki is the Māori New Year, marked by the pre-dawn rise of the Matariki star cluster — known internationally as the Pleiades — in the mid-winter sky. In 2022 it became New Zealand’s first public holiday to recognise te ao Māori (the Māori world), and it has quickly grown into a season of remembrance, celebration, and looking to the year ahead.
What Matariki actually is
Matariki is both the name of the star cluster and the name of the celebration. For generations, Māori observed its reappearance in the winter sky as a marker of the new year and read it for signs about the season and harvest to come.
The cluster is traditionally understood to hold nine stars, each associated with an aspect of the natural world and human wellbeing — among them Waitī and Waitā (fresh water and the ocean), Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi (food from the soil and the sky), and Pōhutukawa, the star connected to those who have passed. The exact tikanga (customs) and stories vary between iwi (tribes), which is part of what makes it so rich.
The three themes
Matariki is often described through three guiding ideas, and understanding them helps you experience it meaningfully rather than as just another day off.
| Theme | In te reo Māori | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Remembrance | Whakamaharatanga | Honouring those who have died since the last rising |
| Celebration | Whakanui | Gathering with whānau, sharing kai (food), gratitude |
| Looking ahead | Wawata | Setting hopes and intentions for the year to come |
Hautapu and community ceremonies
The most sacred observance is the hautapu, a ceremony performed before dawn as the stars rise. In it, karakia (incantations) are offered and food is ceremonially released as an offering to the stars, connecting the living, the departed, and the year ahead. Many hautapu are led by tohunga or knowledgeable local experts and broadcast nationally.
Around the country you’ll find community festivals, night markets, light displays, kapa haka performances, storytelling, and shared meals in the weeks around the holiday. Cities such as Rotorua, Auckland, and Wellington host large public programmes, and marae and local iwi often welcome visitors to events designed for the wider community.
Experiencing it respectfully
Matariki is a taonga (treasure) shared generously, but it carries deep cultural and spiritual weight. A few principles:
- Follow the lead of hosts. At ceremonies, observe quietly, and take direction from those running the event about photography and participation.
- Choose events that are Māori-led. Look for programmes run by iwi, marae, museums, or councils working with mana whenua (the local people with authority over the area).
- Learn a little first. Knowing the themes and a few of the star names deepens what you see and shows respect for your hosts.
To build genuine context before the festival, spend time with living Māori culture — a visit rooted in Rotorua’s Māori culture gives you the whakapapa, language, and customs that make Matariki resonate. If you’re timing a trip around it, our best time to visit New Zealand guide covers what mid-winter travel is really like.
Stargazing at Matariki
Because the whole festival turns on a cluster of stars, it’s a natural time to look up. Matariki sits low on the north-eastern horizon before dawn in mid-winter and is easiest to find away from city lights. New Zealand’s clear southern skies and dark-sky reserves make it one of the best places on earth for it. If you’re chasing the night sky more broadly, the same clear winter conditions are ideal for spotting the southern lights from the deep south.
FAQ
When is Matariki celebrated?
Matariki falls in mid-winter, and the public holiday date shifts each year because it follows the Māori lunar calendar and the cluster’s rising. The government sets and publishes the specific date well in advance.
How many stars are in Matariki?
Matariki is traditionally described as a cluster of nine stars, each linked to an element of the environment and wellbeing, though more are visible with a telescope. Interpretations vary between iwi.
Can visitors take part in Matariki events?
Yes. Many community festivals, markets, and public ceremonies warmly welcome visitors. Choose Māori-led events, follow your hosts’ guidance, and observe sacred moments like the hautapu quietly and respectfully.