What and who is Matariki?
Learn about the stars of Matariki, watch a video showing you how to find the cluster, and test your knowledge in our quiz.
Matariki – te Mātahi o te TauMatariki – the Māori New Year
Matariki is a time to gather with whānau and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.
Puanga is the star of Matariki 2025
The 2025 theme of Matariki mā Puanga highlights communities who observe Puanga astronomical traditions and is all about celebrating and learning about the Māori new year together.
Find out more about this year's theme on the Matariki website.
How to celebrate Matariki
What to do during Matariki, a time to spend with your whānau, with waiata (songs), whakataukī (proverbs), and more.
Hautapu: the ceremonial oven and offerings to the stars
All you need to know about the whāngai i te hautapu – the ceremonial offering to Matariki – including how to host your own.
Dates for the Matariki public holiday
The Matariki public holiday is based on the winter rising of the Matariki cluster in the early morning sky during the Tangaroa period of the lunar month of Pipiri.
Matariki learning programme and education resources
Download Matariki and maramataka teaching resources to use in your classroom, or book a Matariki education visit for your ECE or primary students.
Matariki: regional variations
Matariki isn’t universally observed, due to a variety of reasons – including the fact that the cluster is not visible to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. Learn about regional variations in marking te Mātahi o te Tau (the Māori new year).
Taikura Kapa Haka
Taikura Kapa Haka is an annual festival bringing together kaumātua from across the motu in celebration of the rich mātauranga and pūkenga held in our apārangi tūnohunohu.
