The Matariki Festival 2025: A Complete Guide for You
What is the Matariki Festival?
Ever seen stars kick off a party? In Aotearoa, they do. Matariki, the Māori New Year, marks the rise of the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) in the winter sky, signaling a time of remembrance, celebration, and renewal. In 2025, the Matariki public holiday falls on Friday, 20 June.
Matariki Meaning More Than Just a Star Cluster
Before Matariki became a public holiday or a national vibe, it was – and still is – a sacred time in Māori culture. The name “Matariki” means “tiny eyes” or “eyes of god”, referring to the bright cluster of stars (Pleiades) that signals the start of the Māori New Year.
Traditionally, Matariki marked a time to rest the land, honor ancestors, and plan for the year ahead. Communities gathered for kai, shared waiata, performed haka, and reflected on whakapapa – the deep ties that connect us all.
Today, it’s a moment of national pride.
Since becoming an official Maori public holiday in 2022, Matariki has become a moment when all of Aotearoa comes together in celebration and reflection. From stargazing and cultural workshops to kai festivals and kapa haka, the celebration blends ancient wisdom with modern mana.
At its heart? A reminder to pause, give thanks, and reset – with your whānau, your community, and the stars above.
Where to Celebrate Matariki in Aotearoa 2025?
The Māori New Year is a time of reflection, renewal, and reconnecting with community and whakapapa. Across Aotearoa, the Matariki festival lights up cities, skies, and hearts with many exciting things.
Here’s your star-powered guide to where and how to celebrate.
Auckland: Where the Maori Festival Comes Alive
Tāmaki Makaurau takes the lead with the biggest lineup of Matariki events in New Zealand, running from 7 June to 13 July 2025.
Theme for 2025: He Wai e Rere Ana – The Flowing Waters
This year’s theme flows through every event, symbolizing life, unity, and movement—expect water-themed art, stories, and ceremonies.
Exhibition by Ngaati Tamaoho: Art, Ancestry & Aroha
📅 14 June, 2 PM–4 PM | 📍 Sir Edmund Hillary Library & Papakura Museum | 💸 Free
This isn’t just an art exhibit—it’s a journey through whakapapa. Come experience the opening event of the Matariki Festival Auckland 2025, showcasing stunning works by the Ngaati Tamaoho Whaikairo, Raaranga, and Whiri Aroha roopuu.
The artwork is inspired by the powerful whakatauākī:
Waitaa ki te Maanuka, Waitii ki te Mangatangi, Waipuna ki te Rangi.
Each star holds deep meaning for Ngaati Tamaoho:
- Waitaa connects to Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa (Manukau Harbour).
- Waitii flows with the Mangatangi Awa through the Hunua Ranges.
- Waipunarangi brings rain to nourish the iwi’s fertile lands in the south.
Expect kōrero, craftsmanship, and a heartfelt welcome to the season. Light refreshments will be served, and all ages are warmly encouraged to attend.
Matariki ki te Moana: Paddle a Double-Hulled Waka
📅 15 June | 📍 Auckland waterfront | 💸 Free
Learn how Māori navigated by the stars! Jump aboard a traditional waka hourua, paddle alongside locals, and stargaze like our ancestors did.
Matariki ki te Maunga: Dawn Ceremony at Pukekohe
📅 20 June, 5 AM–10 AM | 📍 Pukekohe Hill Reserve & Ngaa Hau e Whaa Marae | 💸 Free
Rise with the stars—literally. This pre-dawn gathering welcomes the rising of Matariki at Pukekohe Hill Reserve, with karakia, shared kai, and live entertainment at nearby Ngaa Hau e Whaa Marae.
It’s a soulful start to the Māori public holiday, bringing the community together in reflection, renewal, and connection. Elders may share legends, proverbs, and whakataukī (traditional sayings) with tamariki and rangatahi, continuing the powerful oral traditions that define Māori identity. Bring a blanket, bring your whānau, and be part of something truly sacred.
Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki: Matariki Festival Day
📅 20 June – Matariki Public Holiday | 📍 Auckland Botanic Gardens | 💸 Free
Think kapa haka, kite making, wood carving, and plenty of kai. It’s a full-day festival honoring the Māori tradition with joy and flavour.
Citywide Light Art
Over 100 free events will fill Auckland Central with murals, sculptures, and neon installations, all echoing the power of water and stars.
🧥 Style Tip: Auckland nights call for layers. Wrap up in a hoodie or a long-sleeved shirt from Polynesian Pride Shop – because if the stars are showing off, so should you.
Wellington: Fire, Stars & Whānau on the Waterfront
The capital brings the heat with Matariki Ahi Kā – a stunning tribute to remembrance, storytelling, and whānau love from 19 to 22 June, 6 PM–9 PM.
Matariki Ahi Kā Ceremony
📍 Wellington Waterfront (Barnett St to Whairepo Lagoon) | 💸 Free
A breathtaking celebration by the waterfront, lighting up the night with fire, projections, live performances, and nightly remembrance ceremonies.
This immersive walk-through experience honours the Māori New Year with delicious kai, rich cultural showcases, and a strong sense of community. Don’t forget to add your note to the Memorial Wall by 7:30 PM!
Mana Moana Pōneke: Ocean Stories on Water
📅 7–8, 14–15, 19–22 June | 📍 Whairepo Lagoon | 💸 Free
Watch Indigenous short films projected onto a screen of falling water—an epic collaboration between Māori and Pasifika creatives.
Kai? Of course. Grab something hot and delicious, settle in, and share the magic with your whānau.
🧥 Style Tip: Go for cozy + culture. Our special sweatshirt strikes that perfect Matariki balance: reverent and ready to vibe.
Rotorua: A Week of Stars, Stories & Whānau
Rotorua’s “Matawiki” blends sacred tradition with dazzling displays, celebrating Matariki mā Puanga – a theme of inclusion and unity.
ARONUI Drone Light Show
📅 19 & 20 June, 8 PM | 📍 Lake Rotorua | 💸 Free
Hundreds of drones will tell ancestral stories through lights and narration—a breathtaking mix of technology and tradition.
Rotorua Night Market
📅 19 & 20 June, 5–9 PM | 📍 Lakefront | 💸 Free
Double the fun, double the kai. With stalls from the Aronui Māori Market, local artisans, food trucks, and performances.
Te Pō Kitakita – Light Exhibition
📅 19 & 20 June, 5–7 PM | 📍 The Arts Village | 💸 Free
Walk through glowing artworks that celebrate wairua, whenua, and whānau—set under the stars.
Hautapu Ceremonies (Lakefront & Te Puia)
📅 20 June, from 4:30 AM | 📍 Rotorua Lakefront & Te Puia | 💸 Free (Te Puia requires registration)
Two sacred dawn ceremonies—observe, reflect, and honour those who’ve passed while welcoming a new year with ancestral rituals and Māori astronomy.
Whānau Day at Te Puia
📅 20 June, 9 AM–3 PM | 📍 Te Puia | 💸 Free for tamariki
Weaving, carving, kapa haka, kids’ zones—it’s the ultimate family day out to embrace Māori heritage and community vibes.
🧥 Style Tip: Rotorua’s chill air calls for warmth with a story. Try our cozy hoodie, and let the galaxy shine on you.
With every dawn ceremony, glowing artwork, and shared plate of kai, Matariki reconnects us to the stars—and each other. Whether you’re catching the drone show in Rotorua, lighting flames in Wellington, or carving kites in Auckland, this is your chance to celebrate the Māori New Year in a way that’s meaningful, magical, and uniquely Aotearoa.
Stargazing in New Zealand: Where to Watch Matariki Rise in 2025
The Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) will reappear in New Zealand’s pre-dawn sky from 19–22 June 2025. The best viewing time is just before sunrise, when the stars are most visible on the northeastern horizon.
Here are some top spots across Aotearoa to witness this magical moment:
Lake Tekapo – Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
- Location: Lake Tekapo, South Island
- Experience: Home to the Dark Sky Project, offering guided stargazing tours and access to the Mount John Observatory.
- Booking: Recommended; fees apply.
- Why Go: Renowned for its crystal-clear skies and minimal light pollution, making it one of the best stargazing spots globally.
Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary
- Location: Kaikōura, South Island
- Experience: Join the Matariki Rail Experience on 21 June 2025, departing Christchurch at 2:00 PM, culminating in a guided stargazing session at Fyffe House.
- Booking: Required; fees apply.
- Why Go: Designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2024, Kaikōura offers pristine night skies and a unique blend of cultural storytelling and astronomy.
Great Barrier Island – Aotea
- Location: Aotea / Great Barrier Island, Hauraki Gulf
- Experience: Participate in Good Heavens guided night tours, offering insights into Māori astronomy and the Matariki cluster.
- Booking: Recommended; fees apply.
- Why Go: As an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, it boasts exceptionally dark skies, perfect for observing Matariki.
Stardome Observatory – Auckland
- Location: Epsom, Auckland
- Experience: Attend the Ngā Whetū o te Tau Hou planetarium shows, running Tuesday to Sunday evenings from 3 June to 13 July 2025.
- Booking: Required; tickets priced at $18 for adults, $15 for concessions.
- Why Go: An immersive educational experience ideal for families and those new to stargazing.
Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
- Location: Wairarapa, North Island
- Experience: Explore the Aorangi Forest Park and surrounding areas for self-guided stargazing.
- Booking: Not required; free access.
- Why Go: Certified in 2023, this reserve offers expansive dark skies and is easily accessible from Wellington.
Wai-iti Dark Sky Park – Tasman
- Location: Near Wakefield, Tasman District
- Experience: Join Dark Skies Tasman for regular astronomy events and star parties.
- Booking: Recommended for events; some may have fees.
- Why Go: As New Zealand’s first International Dark Sky Park, it offers excellent stargazing opportunities in the South Island.
Tips for Stargazing During Matariki:
- Best Viewing Time: Just before dawn, between 19–22 June 2025.
- Direction: Look towards the northeastern horizon to spot the Matariki cluster.
- Weather Check: Ensure clear skies for optimal viewing; check local forecasts.
- Equipment: Binoculars or telescopes can enhance the experience, but are not necessary.
- Dress Warmly: Mid-winter mornings can be chilly; layer up to stay comfortable.
Embrace the Māori New Year by connecting with the stars, the land, and each other. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a curious observer, Matariki offers a celestial celebration that’s uniquely Aotearoa.
Shine Bright This Māori New Year
Matariki isn’t just about stars – it’s about people, place, and purpose. Whether you’re attending a Maori traditional event, enjoying New Zealand winter festivals, or just gazing at the stars before dawn, this is a time to reconnect with your roots, your whānau, and the world around you.
And if you’re wondering how to fully show up this season – culturally, spiritually, and stylishly – you know where to look.
👉 Polynesian Pride Shop has your Matariki fits sorted.
Celebrate the Māori New Year with pride, presence, and a little cosmic flair!
FAQs: All About Matariki Festival 2025
u003cstrongu003eWhen is Matariki in 2025?u003c/strongu003e
Matariki will be celebrated from u003cstrongu003e19–22 June 2025u003c/strongu003e, with the official u003cstrongu003epublic holiday on Friday, 20 Juneu003c/strongu003e.
u003cstrongu003eWhat does Matariki mean?u003c/strongu003e
Matariki is both the name of a star cluster (Pleiades) and a symbolic period of the Māori New Year. It represents remembrance, celebration, and new beginnings.
u003cstrongu003eIs Matariki only celebrated in Māori culture?u003c/strongu003e
While rooted in Māori tradition, Matariki is embraced across Aotearoa as a national celebration of identity, environment, and connection.
u003cstrongu003eWhere can I go stargazing for Matariki in New Zealand?u003c/strongu003e
Top spots include Lake Tekapo, Kaikōura, Great Barrier Island, and observatories like Stardome Auckland. Many events are free or low-cost.
What to wear on Matariki?
Dress warmly and respectfully. For a culturally inspired look, check out the u003cstrongu003eMatariki Galaxy Collectionu003c/strongu003e fromu003ca href=u0022https://www.polynesianpride.co/collections/new-zealand-holidays-collection?utm_source=blogu0026amp;utm_campaign=the+matiriki+festivalu0022u003e Polynesian Pride Shopu003c/au003e featuring polos, Hawaiian shirts, dresses, and more!
