Events
Matariki is a special time to come together and celebrate with the people around us. There are lots of fun things happening near you - talks, light shows, music, markets and more.
Check out our listings below, visit your local council’s website or Eventfinda. If you’re in Wellington, you can also see what Te Papa have on.
If you’re running a Matariki event, please add it below using the online form and share with everyone.
Check out our listings below, visit your local council’s website or Eventfinda. If you’re in Wellington, you can also see what Te Papa have on.
If you’re running a Matariki event, please add it below using the online form and share with everyone.
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National broadcast of Matariki hautapu - Matariki Herenga Waka
Rā | Date
10/07/2026
Āhea | When
6am - 11am
Ki hea| Where
Online | Broadcast
Te utu | Cost
Free
Matariki Tamariki Time
Rā | Date
19/6/2026
-
19/6/2026
Āhea | When
10:00-12:00
Ki hea | Where
Te Papa
Te utu | Cost
Free
He wāhanga tauwhitiwhiti utukore kuhu noa mā ngā nohinohi kei raro i te 5 tau te pakeke. I tēnei marama, ākona a Matariki me te whakatere waka.
A free, interactive drop-in session for tamariki aged 5 and under. This month learn about Matariki and waka navigation.
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Wānanga Matariki: Matariki Herenga Waka
Rā | Date
24/6/2026
-
24/6/2026
Āhea | When
18:30-20:30
Ki hea | Where
Te Papa
Te utu | Cost
Free
I roto i tēnei wānanga motuhake, ka whakapuakina e ngā kaumoana o Ngahiraka-Mai-Tawhiti me Te Kura Waka te mātauranga mō te whakamāuitanga ake o ngā waka hourua, ā, ka huritao hoki ki te āhua e ārahi nei e te reanga whakatere hou i ngā waka mā tētahi taiao.
In this special kōrero, the crew of Ngahiraka-Mai-Tawhiti and Te Kura Waka share mātauranga about the revitalisation of waka hourua and reflect on how a new generation of navigators are guiding waka through a changing environment.
Kaikōrero | Speakers:
▪️Tainui Stephens
▪️Manihera Forbes
▪️Hinerapa Rupuha
▪️Tamahau Tangitu
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
He Taonga Ānō Te Hau: Treasures That Still Breathe (Art Exhibition)
Rā | Date
25/6/2026
-
23/7/2026
Āhea | When
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (weekdays) 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Saturdays)
Ki hea | Where
Studio One - Toi Tu, 1 Ponsonby Road
Te utu | Cost
Free
He Taonga Ānō te Hau: Treasures That Still Breathe weaves together new and earlier works by multidisciplinary artist Siniva Mokaraka. Working through a Māori and Pasifika lens, Mokaraka honours still life as a space where taonga hold mauri, memory, and spirit. Each fine art digital print is composed from taonga of personal significance, printed on archival Hahnemühle paper, and framed in hand-carved rimu. Created for Matariki, the works speak to remembrance, renewal, and ancestral connection, reflecting on the taonga, stories, and relationships that shape whānau and whakapapa.
Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau
Kapahaka Hapori Kai Night
Rā | Date
1/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
5.00pm
Ki hea | Where
Waiopehu College Auditorium
Te utu | Cost
Free
Join us for a free celebration of kapahaka in Taitoko, featuring performances from local tamariki and rangitahi. In honour of Matariki, kai will be available to take home following the performances.
Manawatū - Whanganui
Matariki Herenga Waka – A Gathering of Many Voices
Rā | Date
2/7/2026
-
12/7/2026
Āhea | When
Opening event on the 2nd of July 2026, at 5:30PM to 7:30PM
Ki hea | Where
17 Osborne Street, Newmarket, 1023
Te utu | Cost
Free
This exhibition brings together a community of Māori artists within The Poi Room, in a shared exploration of connection. It reflects the 2026 theme of Matariki by bringing together the beauty of Māori toi through different mediums and techniques. Each artist contributes to a collective constellation of works, echoing the Matariki cluster, showing their distinctness yet interconnected. This exhibition positions The Poi Room as a contemporary herenga waka: a place where Māori artists gather to share whakaaro, whakapapa, and lived experience through their art.
Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau
Matariki After Dark
Rā | Date
2/7/2026
-
2/7/2026
Āhea | When
19:30-23:00
Ki hea | Where
Te Papa
Te utu | Cost
Free
Hei whakanui mā ngā pakeke anake mō ngā kōrero, ngā tikanga, me te mātauranga kua wānangahia i waenga i Aotearoa, ā puta noa i Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
An adults-only celebration of the stories, traditions, and mātauranga shared between Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, the wider Pacific.
Come together to celebrate Matariki through music, kōrero, performances, workshops, and kai.
- KOREKASH
- Cook Island music and performances
- Tivaevae workshop
- Pacific Climate Warrior wānanga
- Te reo o te waka kōrero
- Taonga from the Pasifika collection
- Cash bar
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Friday Konohete
Rā | Date
3/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
12.00pm - 1.00pm
Ki hea | Where
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō
Te utu | Cost
Free
Celebrate the power of puoro (music) with us as a range of groups come together to perform kapahaka and waiata. Experience the energy, storytelling and cultural pride as performers from Mūaupoko Tribal Authority, Te Karanga o te Tūi and more share their talents.
Manawatū - Whanganui
Foxton Matariki Pool Party
Rā | Date
4/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
3.00pm - 5.00pm
Ki hea | Where
Foxton Pools
Te utu | Cost
Normal entry prices
Make a splash this Matariki at our Foxton Pool Party. Celebrate the season with an afternoon of music, good vibes, and plenty of fun in the water. With inflatables to enjoy and tunes playing, it’s the perfect way to bring whānau and friends together for a relaxed and joyful Matariki celebration. Bring your togs, gather your crew, and come along for a memorable day at the pools.
Manawatū - Whanganui
Puna Kaukau
Rā | Date
5/7/2026
-
5/7/2026
Āhea | When
05:45 - 07:45am
Ki hea | Where
Gladstone River Swing Bridge, Poads Road, Levin
Te utu | Cost
Free
Take part in a meaningful Matariki tradition at Puna Kaukau. Join us for a special karakia to acknowledge the whetū (star) Waitī, honour the awa (river), and welcome the Matariki season. Following the ceremony, those who are keen can take a refreshing mid-winter dip in the river - an invigorating way to reflect, reset, and embrace the new year. Whether you’re participating in the swim or simply coming along to observe, it’s a beautiful opportunity to connect with te taiao and share in a moment of community and reflection.
Manawatū - Whanganui
Matariki for Tamariki
Rā | Date
7/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
10.30am - 11.30am
Ki hea | Where
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Levin
Te utu | Cost
Free
Join us for a special morning of stories and waiata, led by Punahau Early Childhood Centre. This relaxed, whānau-friendly session is a lovely way for tamariki to learn about Matariki through music, storytelling, and shared experience. Come along, settle in, and enjoy a warm and welcoming space to connect, learn, and celebrate together.
Manawatū - Whanganui
Under the Stars
Rā | Date
9/7/2026
-
9/7/2026
Āhea | When
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Ki hea | Where
1240 Hinemaru Street - The Arts Village
Te utu | Cost
Free
Celebrate Matariki through toi. Step into Under the Stars 2026, a vibrant, city-wide exhibition honouring Aotearoa’s newest national holiday. This is a call to Rotorua artists, emerging and established, to share works that reflect, remember, and reimagine Matariki. Featured exhibitions: Ngā Hue o Matariki Toni-Marie Jennings’ debut solo exhibition, Works by ākonga from Mokoia Intermediate School In conjunction with Te Pō Kitakita.
Bay of Plenty - Te Moana-a-Toi
Te Pō Kitakita
Rā | Date
9/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
16:00 - 19:30
Ki hea | Where
1240 Hinemaru Street - The Arts Village
Te utu | Cost
Free
Kia hiwa rā! Kia hiwa rā! Join us for this year’s Matariki celebrations at The Arts Village for a pō of toi, creativity, music, and whānau connection. Te Pō Kitakita will bring a vibrant artistic energy to the night through a range of hands-on Māori art activities. Come and: ✨ Learn to use poi ✨ Create your own raukura ✨ Print using uku ✨ Enjoy live music throughout the evening Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau katoa, everyone is welcome. We would love to see you here as we celebrate Matariki 2026 together.
Bay of Plenty - Te Moana-a-Toi
Rā Kiriata Whānau
Rā | Date
9/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
1.00pm - 4.30pm
Ki hea | Where
Manakau Hall, Manakau
Te utu | Cost
Free
Enjoy a relaxed Rā Kiriata Whānau. Bring the whole whānau along for a fun, laid-back day at the movies in Manakau with a special screening of Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Settle in, get comfortable, and enjoy a great Kiwi favourite together on the big screen. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase from the Manakau District Community Association, so you can grab a treat while you watch. A simple, joyful way to spend time together and enjoy a shared whānau experience.
Manawatū - Whanganui
Celebrate Matariki
Rā | Date
10/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
4:30pm
Ki hea | Where
Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Ahiaruhe, Carterton 5792
Te utu | Cost
Adult $30, senior $25, 13-18 $10, 5-12 $5, under 5 free.
Experience the magic of Matariki at Stonehenge Aotearoa, celebrating the appearance of the Pleiades star cluster. Discover the ancient legends and significance of Matariki in Māori and Polynesian traditions, and explore the physical nature of these stars. Bookings essential.
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Matariki 2026 - Whānau Day
Rā | Date
10/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
9am - 3pm
Ki hea | Where
Te Puia - 20 Hemo Road, Rotorua
Te utu | Cost
Free for kids, $5 for adults
Celebrate Matariki Whānau Day at Te Puia | New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute In Māori history, after a formal Hautapu ceremony everyone would gather to feast, play games, plan and prep for the year ahead, so we welcome you to join our Whānau Day at Rotowhio Marae. Join us for a day of reflection, remembrance, and renewal as we come together to celebrate Matariki – the Māori New Year. With a line-up of cultural festivities, kai, and games, there’s something for everyone in the whānau. The day kicks off at 9am, with activities running throughout.
Bay of Plenty - Te Moana-a-Toi
Matariki Whānau Day
Rā | Date
10/7/2026
-
10/7/2026
Āhea | When
10:00-14:00
Ki hea | Where
Te Papa
Te utu | Cost
Free
Huia mai ki te whakanui i a Matariki mā ngā ngohe pai mā te whānau, ngā awheawhe me ngā mahi utukore.
Come together to celebrate Matariki with free whānau-friendly activities, workshops, and activities.
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Levin Matariki Pool Party
Rā | Date
11/7/2026
-
Āhea | When
3.00pm - 5.00pm
Ki hea | Where
Levin Aquatic Centre, Levin
Te utu | Cost
Normal entry prices
Make a splash this Matariki at our Levin Pool Party. Join us for a fun-filled celebration featuring music, inflatables, and plenty of action on the hydroslide. It’s a relaxed, whānau-friendly way to enjoy the Matariki season together. Bring your togs, gather your friends and whānau, and enjoy an afternoon of summer-in-winter vibes at the pool. Be sure to head along to the Taitoko Night Market afterwards, for some kai and entertainment.
Manawatū - Whanganui
Explore Matariki at the Planetarium
Rā | Date
14/7/2026
-
15/7/2026
Āhea | When
10.00am - 5.00pm
Ki hea | Where
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō
Te utu | Cost
Free - registrations required
Explore Matariki at the Planetarium. Join Spaceward Bound for a unique opportunity to celebrate and learn about Matariki and space inside their portable planetarium. Step beneath the stars and discover the connections between the Matariki cluster, the night sky, and our place within the universe. This immersive experience is a great way for tamariki and whānau to learn together through storytelling and exploration. Registrations are required as spaces are limited - be sure to secure your spot early.
Manawatū - Whanganui
