Top 10 Best Maori Cultural Festivals You Can’t Miss in 2025!

There’s no better way to truly understand Māori culture than attending one of their incredible festivals. In 2025, Māori cultural festivals will bring tradition, artistry, and community spirit to life. From breathtaking kapa haka performances to delicious kai (food), these events offer a deep connection to the heritage of the tangata whenua. Here are the top 10 must-see festivals to make your journey to Aotearoa unforgettable!

10. Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga

When & Where

Te Matatini 2025, the premier festival of Māori performing arts, will run from February 25th to March 1st, at Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth, New Zealand. This event will showcase 55 kapa haka groups, attracting 75,000 live attendees and 2.5 million viewers online or on TV.

What to Expect

Te Matatini is the ultimate celebration of kapa haka, combining powerful performances with cultural pride. Here’s what’s in store:

• Elite Competition: The best kapa haka groups from Aotearoa and Ahitereiria (Australia) will compete for the prestigious National Champion title.
• Cultural Celebration: The festival highlights the importance of kapa haka in revitalizing te reo Māori and fostering a sense of unity across generations.
• Community Experience: Enjoy a vibrant festival atmosphere with food stalls, cultural displays, and interactive activities for all ages.

Te Matatini 2025 is one of the biggest Maori cultural festivals in New Zealand​ that honors Maori heritage, strengthens community bonds, and showcases the beauty of kapa haka to the world.

09. Matariki – One Of The Best Maori Cultural Festivals

When & Where

Matariki is the Māori New Year also a public holiday which occurs around June or July, marking the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) reappearance in the night sky. In 2025, Matariki celebrations will be on Friday, Jun 20, reflecting its importance in New Zealand’s cultural identity.

How do you celebrate Matariki​?

Matariki is a time for reflection, gratitude, and fresh beginnings, celebrated through traditional and modern events. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Traditional Celebrations: Lighting ritual fires, offering prayers, and commemorating ancestors to honor whakapapa (ancestry) and the cycle of life.
• Modern Events: Community festivals, fireworks displays, and cultural performances in major cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
• Environmental Connection: Planting trees, sowing crops, and focusing on sustainability to symbolize new beginnings and care for the land.
• Educational Activities: Workshops and storytelling events to learn about the significance of Matariki and its connection to Māori traditions.

Matariki Festival 2025 is a sacred time to connect with the land, honor ancestors, and embrace the promise of new beginnings. Whether you attend a festival or celebrate quietly with family, Matariki offers a meaningful way to reflect and rejuvenate.

08. Puanga Festival

When & Where

The Puanga Festival, one of the cherished Māori cultural festivals, is celebrated in Taranaki and the Whanganui River valley. It marks the Māori New Year in regions where the Matariki star cluster is less visible. Instead, it honors Puanga (Rigel) as the harbinger of renewal and abundance. 2025 Puanga will be celebrated around May to June in Palmerston North or Bay of Islands areas, depending on the star’s appearance.

What to Expect

Puanga reflects renewal, gratitude, and prosperity. Here’s what makes this festival special:

• Traditional Celebrations: Participate in communal feasts, karakia (prayers), waiata (songs), and ceremonies honoring ancestors and the natural world.
• Workshops & Storytelling: Engage with Māori traditions through interactive workshops, storytelling, and cultural performances.
• Focus on Sustainability: The 2025 Puanga Festival will highlight local food traditions, ancestral wisdom, and sustainable practices, aligning with modern values while honoring ancient customs.

Puanga Festival 2025 offers a meaningful and enriching experience, connecting visitors to the cycles of life, nature, and Māori heritage. It’s a must-see for those exploring New Zealand’s unique cultural traditions.

07. Waitangi Day

When & Where

Waitangi Day, one of the most important Māori holidays, is observed annually on February 6th and is recognized as a public holiday across New Zealand. This day commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, a defining moment in the nation’s history. While celebrations occur nationwide, the largest and most significant events are held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland, the birthplace of the treaty.

What to Expect

Waitangi Day is both a day of reflection and a celebration of New Zealand’s bicultural heritage. In 2025, you can expect:

• Cultural Displays: Experience kapa haka performances, traditional music, and art highlighting Māori culture.
• Traditional Waka Parades: Marvel at ceremonial waka (canoes) paddled by skilled crews, with powerful haka and displays of Māori maritime heritage.
• Historical Reenactments: Witness moments from New Zealand’s past come to life through reenactments and storytelling at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
• Community Events: Enjoy concerts, food stalls, and family-friendly nationwide activities.

As one of the most important Māori cultural festivals, Waitangi Day is a chance to reflect on the nation’s history, honor its cultural diversity, and immerse yourself in a day filled with learning and celebration.

06. Kāwhia Kai Festival

When & Where

The Kāwhia Kai Festival, a standout among Māori cultural festivals, is held in the charming west coast town of Kāwhia, New Zealand. In 2025, the festival will occur during the weekend aligned with Waitangi Day (February 6th). This annual event attracts visitors from far and wide to celebrate traditional Māori cuisine and culture.

What to Expect

The Kāwhia Kai Festival is a feast for the senses and a vibrant celebration of Māori heritage. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Traditional Māori Food: Indulge in authentic dishes like hangi (earth-cooked meals), mussels, whitebait, oysters, and kina (sea urchin).
• Craft Stalls: Explore stalls featuring weaving demonstrations and beautiful jewelry and clothing crafted by local artisans.
• Entertainment: Enjoy a lively mix of performances from local bands, Hulanesian music, and even country music, creating a festive atmosphere.
• Cultural Demonstrations: Engage with traditional Māori arts such as wood carving (Whakairo-Rākau), flax weaving (Rāranga), and tattooing (Tā-moko), providing deeper insights into Māori craftsmanship.
• Other Activities in Kāwhia: Visiting Kāwhia beach; playing golf; horse trekking; kayaking,…

The Kāwhia Kai Festival 2025 promises an unforgettable experience blending food, culture, and adventure. Whether you’re a foodie or a culture enthusiast, this event will not be missed!

05. Pasifika Festival

When & Where

The Pasifika Festival 2025 will occur from Saturday, March 9th to Sunday, March 10th, at Western Springs Park in Auckland, New Zealand. This iconic event is one of the largest Maori cultural festivals celebrating Pacific Island cultures, drawing thousands of visitors annually.

What to Expect

The Pasifika Festival is a colorful and lively celebration that brings together Pacific and Maori cultures in a shared showcase of heritage and talent. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Cultural Performances: Enjoy mesmerizing performances from Maori and Pacific Island groups featuring traditional dances, chants, and music.
• Cultural Villages: Each village represents a Pacific Island nation, providing an immersive experience with unique displays, food, and traditions.
• Polynesian Cuisine: Taste authentic dishes like taro, poke bowls, hangi, and coconut-based desserts that highlight the diverse flavors of the Pacific.
• Arts and Crafts: Discover handcrafted treasures, including woven baskets, jewelry, and traditional clothing, showcasing the artistry of the Pacific.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Pasifika Festival 2025 is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the diversity and beauty of Pacific and Maori cultures.

For more insight about this amazing festival, read our blog: Pasifika Festival 2025: A Celebration of Islander Pride!

04. Koroneihana Celebrations

When & Where

The Koroneihana Celebrations, one of the most significant Māori cultural festivals, is held annually in Ngāruawāhia, Waikato, to honor the Māori King Movement. In 2025, the event will take place in August, uniting whānau, dignitaries, and visitors to celebrate this momentous occasion.

What to Expect

Koroneihana is a time of unity, reflection, and cultural pride. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Ceremonies & Speeches: Formal proceedings led by the Māori King, reflecting the movement’s values and role in Māori history and politics.
• Political Discussions: The event often features addresses from political leaders, including the Prime Minister and opposition figures, who discuss current issues affecting Māori communities.
• Cultural Performances: Enjoy kapa haka, traditional music, and Māori arts and crafts displays.
• Community Connection: Participate in communal activities that foster whanaungatanga (family bonds) and celebrate Māori heritage.
• Sporting Events: Some years feature sports activities, such as the Tainui Games, promoting unity and well-being among participants.

Koroneihana Celebrations 2025 is a unique opportunity to experience the rich traditions of the Māori King Movement and its continued importance in New Zealand’s cultural landscape.

03. Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Maori Language Week

When & Where

Since 1975, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, or Māori Language Week, has been celebrated annually to honor the rich heritage of te reo Māori, the indigenous language of Aotearoa (New Zealand). This nationwide celebration is a significant highlight of Māori cultural festivals in New Zealand. In 2025, Māori Language Week will take place from September 14th to September 21st, commemorating the presentation of the Māori Language Petition to Parliament on September 14th, 1972 – a pivotal moment in the language’s revitalization.

What to Expect

This week is about celebrating and encouraging the use of te reo Māori in every aspect of life, including schools, workplaces, homes, and communities. Expect a vibrant mix of activities, including:

• Speaking and Singing: Public speaking events and performances that showcase te reo Māori through beautiful songs and traditional chants.
• Cultural Displays: From traditional dances to intricate Maori crafts, these displays bring the essence of Maori culture to life.
• Community Events: Workshops, storytelling sessions, and sustainable practices as part of the overarching 2025 theme of sustainability.

Māori Language Week is a powerful reminder of the resilience and value of the Maori language, cherished by over 900,000 Maori in New Zealand and thousands more worldwide.

02. ASB Polyfest

When & Where

ASB Polyfest 2025, one of the most celebrated Māori cultural festivals and the largest Polynesian festival in the world, will take place from Wednesday, April 2nd, to Saturday, April 5th, 2025, at the Manukau Sports Bowl in Auckland, New Zealand. This iconic annual event unites students from across the country to honor the vibrant diversity of Polynesian and Māori cultures through performances, art, and cuisine.

What to Expect

ASB Polyfest is a vibrant showcase of Polynesian culture and talent, offering an unforgettable experience for attendees. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Cultural Performances: Over 200 school groups will perform traditional dances and songs representing Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Cook Islands, and other Polynesian cultures.
• Cultural Stages: Each stage is dedicated to a specific culture, providing an immersive experience with unique performances and themes.
• Delicious Polynesian Cuisine: Food stalls will feature an array of traditional Polynesian dishes, from hangi to poke bowls, offering a taste of the islands.
• Workshops and Competitions: Interactive workshops teach traditional skills, and competitions showcase students’ talents across various cultural disciplines.

ASB Polyfest 2025 isn’t just a festival – it’s a vibrant celebration of unity, tradition, and the next generation’s role in preserving Polynesian heritage. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this festival is an unmissable opportunity to experience the vibrancy of Polynesian culture.

01. Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival

When & Where

“Tāmaki Herenga Waka” translates to “Tāmaki moored canoes”, reflecting the region’s history as a meeting place. The name originates from an 1840 proverb that symbolized the hope of ending tribal conflicts and making Auckland a haven for all. The Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival will take place over Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2025. Held every two years, this festival celebrates Māori culture at its heart in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).

What to Expect

This festival offers a rich and immersive experience, bringing Māori traditions to life. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Performances: Enjoy live performances by Māori musicians and captivating kapa haka groups.
• Food: Savor traditional Māori kai, including dishes prepared using ancestral cooking methods.
• Games: Participate in or watch traditional Māori games that showcase skill and community spirit.
• Storytelling: Listen to powerful Māori stories that preserve the history and wisdom of ancestors.
• Ta moko: Admire ta moko, traditional Māori body art, displayed and explained by experts.
• Waka Sailing: Witness or join waka (canoes) as they sail, celebrating Auckland’s maritime heritage.

The Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival 2025 is a vibrant celebration of Māori culture and unity, making it a must-attend event for anyone eager to experience the depth and beauty of Māori cultural festivals in New Zealand.

Tips for Attending Maori Cultural Festivals

To make the most of your experience at these festivals, keep these tips in mind:

• Respect Customs: Maori culture is steeped in tradition. Listen to local guides and adhere to protocols, especially when visiting marae (sacred meeting grounds).
• Dress Appropriately: Many festivals take place outdoors, so dress for the weather. If visiting a marae, wear modest clothing.
• Support Local Artists: Purchase crafts and artwork directly from artisans to support the Maori community.
• Be Open-Minded: Maori festivals are about unity and sharing. Embrace the opportunity to connect with people and learn about their traditions.
• Learn Key Phrases: Familiarize yourself with basic Maori greetings and phrases like “kia ora” (hello) and “tena koe” (thank you).

Read more: Top 20 New Zealand slang: How to talk like a real Maori?

CONCLUSION

Māori cultural festivals are more than events – vibrant heritage, community, and storytelling celebrations. From the powerful kapa haka performances at Te Matatini to savoring traditional dishes at a Kai Festival, these events offer immersive ways to connect with the heart of Māori culture.

In 2025, the opportunities to experience these unique traditions are endless. So, mark your calendars, book your tickets, and prepare to dive into the rich heritage of Aotearoa!

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