Events
Matariki is a time for us to gather and celebrate with those around us, so check out events happening near you. From lectures to light shows, music to markets, there's plenty to get you celebrating Matariki this year.
Want to showcase your Matariki event? Complete the form below and don't forget to tag us @mānawatiaamatariki
on social media for your chance to pick up a spot prize.
Want to showcase your Matariki event? Complete the form below and don't forget to tag us @mānawatiaamatariki
on social media for your chance to pick up a spot prize.
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National broadcast of Matariki hautapu
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
Āhea | When
6am - 11am
Ki hea| Where
Online | Broadcast
Te utu | Cost
Free
Kāhui Whetū
Rā | Date
19/6/2025
-
19/6/2025
Āhea | When
5pm - 9pm
Ki hea | Where
Gore Public Garden
Te utu | Cost
Free
Join us at Kāhui Whetū as we celebrate the Māori New Year!
See the Gore Gardens transform as we illuminate them with a sparkling light display for Matariki. Make sure you wrap up cosy and warm, as this winter event takes full advantage of those dark, crisp and early nights.
From 5:00pm to 9:00pm, enjoy live waiata, a wide variety of delicious kai from food vendors, and treat the whānau to neon face painting, UV light art, and a range of fun, family-friendly activities.
Southland - Murihiku
Te Huihuinga o Matariki
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
-
20/5/2025
Āhea | When
11am - 9pm
Ki hea | Where
Trafalgar Centre
Te utu | Cost
Koha (gold coin)
Brought to you by Nelson City Council, Ngā Iwi e Waru o Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui and the Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui Māori Culture Council. This year’s event features Taku Kara Tīpuna, the regional secondary school kapa haka competition. The evening will conclude with entertainment, 50+ stalls and a spectacular drone show, designed by iwi. Friday 20 June | 11am – 9pm at Trafalgar Centre and Rutherford Park. Koha (gold coin) entry.
Nelson - Whakatū
Rangitāne Annual Matariki Gathering 2025
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
-
20/6/2025
Āhea | When
5:30am - 7:30am
Ki hea | Where
Wairau Bar, Wairau Bar Rd, Blenheim
Te utu | Cost
Free
This year, we anticipate another large turnout, continuing the tradition of one of the most significant annual gatherings hosted by Rangitāne o Wairau. Whānau will sound the pūtātara to signal the beginning of the ceremony, followed by karanga, karakia, and waiata. We will pay tribute to our loved ones who have passed over.
Although it may be a chilly start to the day, we will warm up with a cooked breakfast and a warm cuppa.
Ngā mihi nui o te Tau Hou Māori e te iwi.
Marlborough - Te Tauihu-o-te-Waka
Matariki
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
-
20/6/2025
Āhea | When
4:30pm
Ki hea | Where
Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
Te utu | Cost
$5.12 - $34.05
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 Ahunga Nui 2025
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
-
20/6/2025
Āhea | When
10am - 5pm
Ki hea | Where
Auckland Art Gallery, Cnr Kitchener and Wellesley Streets Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Te utu | Cost
Free
Join us for the Matariki Festival at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki! This free, family-friendly event celebrates community, fun and creativity. Engage in art-making activities inspired by the beautiful wai (waters) of Aotearoa. Enjoy kapa haka performances and deepen your knowledge of taonga Māori (treasures) and our connection to water through insightful tours and talks. Explore the path of Waihorotiu, the stream that carved the valley we now call Queen Street, and discover how wai has shaped our sense of place. Celebrate the start of the Māori New Year with us!
Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau
Whānau Day: Matariki | Rā Matariki mō te Whānau
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
-
20/6/2025
Āhea | When
10am - 4pm
Ki hea | Where
Te Papa
Te utu | Cost
Free
Celebrate the stars Matariki and Puanga with a day of whānau-friendly workshops and activities that highlight our connection across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
Explore taonga from our collection and unlock some of the stories they hold.
Decorate your own kākano uku with artist Stevei Houkāmou.
Learn more about celestial navigation through hands on activities.
You can also get your face painted with environment-inspired designs, enjoy live performances, explore Mānawatia a Matariki, or do some Māori Mermaid colouring in.
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Star Glaze Mid Winter Ceramics Festival
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
-
21/6/2025
Āhea | When
10am - 4pm
Ki hea | Where
Ōtaki Māori Racing Club
Te utu | Cost
$5 Saturday / Koha Sunday
Join us for the 2025 Star Glaze Mid Winter Ceramics Festival, an exciting celebration of art and the traditions of Matariki, set against the picturesque backdrop of Ōtaki Maori Racing Club.
The festival kicks off with a captivating opening ceremony, heralding the beginning of a vibrant festival filled with diverse events, captivating exhibits, delicious food, lively music, and much more. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Matariki and discover the magic of pottery in a festival like no other.
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Puanga Festival
Rā | Date
20/6/2025
-
20/6/2025
Āhea | When
3pm
Ki hea | Where
Central Energy Trust Arena- Pit Lane
Te utu | Cost
Free
Celebrate the Māori New Year with whānau and friends here in Palmerston North. Get among the fun festivities that we have planned and learn about Puanga!
Puanga is a time for celebration, reflection and unity. Join us as we honour the traditions of the Māori new year and create lasting memories with friends and whānau.
There will be live music, kapa haka, kai, Star Walk Installation and fun activities for tamariki.
Performers include:
Te KuraHuia, Forte, The Kars (Kane Parsons and Regan Taylor), After Party Band
Manawatū - Whanganui
MATARIKI AFTER DARK | MATARIKI I TE PŌ
Rā | Date
21/6/2025
-
21/6/2025
Āhea | When
6pm - 9pm
Ki hea | Where
Studio One Toi Tū
Te utu | Cost
Free
Saturday 21 June, 6–9pm at Studio One Toi Tū.
Join us for a special evening of creativity, connection, and celebration featuring:
• Māori Makers Market showcasing authentic treasures from local arts makers
• 5 Contemporary Art Exhibitions featuring Kahurangiariki Smith, Matangireia Yates-Francis, Tui Hirabayashi, Marie Hemo Titi Mapa, Ngā Rangatahi Toa and Paige Nebbeling
• Delicious Hāngī and refreshments to nourish body and spirit
• Live Music & Performances
• Māori Artmaking Workshops offering hands-on experiences for all ages
As darkness falls, celebrate Matariki together through this vib
Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau
Marlon Williams Te Whare Tīwekaweka Tour
Rā | Date
21/6/2025
-
21/6/2025
Āhea | When
7pm
Ki hea | Where
Spark Arena
Te utu | Cost
From $89.90
Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) has released his first Māori language album,
Te Whare Tīwekaweka, also announces a 11-date album tour of Aotearoa.
Performing with his long-time band The Yarra Benders as well as some special
appearances from some of the album’s collaborators, Marlon Williams will bring Te Whare
Tīwekaweka to life across the main stages in our most illustrious theatre venues.
In another first, Marlon will make his debut headline appearance at Tāmaki Makauru’s
Spark Arena this Matariki in what promises to be a sparkling and spectacular arena show.
Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau
Matariki Mahuika
Rā | Date
21/6/2025
-
21/6/2025
Āhea | When
5pm - 10pm
Ki hea | Where
546 Marine Parade South, Napier (Next to National Aquarium of New Zealand)
Te utu | Cost
Free
The lighting of beach fires to mark Matariki is a tradition launched in Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke's Bay in 2023.
Matariki Mahuika is a DIY event, the actual lighting of and looking after the fires is up to individuals and whanau. You pick your favourite spot at the beach, look after your fire and the beach and welcome others in.
In Ahuriri Napier, there will be storytelling and other activities on the Marine Parade. Gather around the fires as a storyteller shares tales of old.
Take part in the Waka maimai aroha (lantern) procession.
Hawke’s Bay - Te Matau-a-Māui
Ihirangaranga
Rā | Date
23/6/2025
-
24/6/2025
Āhea | When
7pm
Ki hea | Where
Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall
Te utu | Cost
$30
Celebrate Matariki by immersing yourself into a unique culture and art experience - Ihirangaranga. Bringing together taonga puoro, live music, spoken word, and real-time painting, this multimedia performance draws upon cultural concepts to transport audiences into another dimension in this one-of-a-kind collaborative performance.
Featuring live music performances from taonga puoro specialist Horomona Horo and Dr Jeremy Mayall, spoken word from Michael Moore, and the visual arts of performance speed-painter Regan Balzer, this is a unique show of total wonder and immersion.
Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau
Astronomy on Tap - Matariki Edition
Rā | Date
24/6/2025
-
24/6/2025
Āhea | When
8pm to 10pm | R18
Ki hea | Where
Space Place, 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012
Te utu | Cost
$45pp
This special edition of Astronomy on Tap takes you on an immersive journey through the night sky, with a spotlight on the Matariki star cluster and its importance to Aotearoa. You’ll also learn how to spot Matariki and Puanga with the naked eye, just in time for the rising of the new year.
Start your evening with a drink on arrival and inflight snacks before lifting off under the full-dome planetarium. From Pōneke to the far reaches of the Universe, you’ll travel through space with expert guidance, then wind down with our cash bar and interactive exhibitions.
Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
