King Charles has addressed a Matariki message to New Zealand ahead of the public holiday on Friday. "E mihi ana ki a Matariki mā Puanga," the King said.

Matariki is being celebrated on the other side of the world to the Pacific, with educational and performance events taking place in London.

Ngāti Rangi members are reflecting on the honour of hosting this year's Matariki national holiday ceremony. The ceremonies wrapped up on Friday at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Ruapehu.

A new feature film weaving together Māori storytelling, intergenerational healing, and the significance of Matariki has hit the big screens, offering Aotearoa a moving experience grounded in te ao Māori. Kōkā, directed by Kath Akuhata-Brown (Ngāti Porou), follows the journey of two wāhine - a kuia named Hamo and a troubled young woman, Jo - who form an unlikely bond on a road trip across Aotearoa.

The whetū Pōhutukawa, the eldest child of Matariki, is connected to loss and remembrance. She encourages us to reflect, to remember, and to honour our past and those we’ve lost. Each of these actions can take many forms, just as the losses we mourn are many and varied.

Enjoy a free family-friendly event filled with live music, activities for the tamariki, kai, markets and more! Hamilton City Council and Matariki Ki Waikato are hosting the fourth annual Maanawatia a Matariki at Innes Common on Friday 20 June, from 3pm to 7pm.

Watch the sun rise over Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, this Matariki for a special hautapu ceremony hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on Friday. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will again be opening the doors to its papakāinga to host thousands of people embracing our uniquely indigenous public holiday.

As Aotearoa celebrates the rise of Matariki, heralding the Māori New Year, Waiata Anthems are proud to support the release of Matariki Hunga Nui – Calling Me Home: a special bilingual theme song for Matariki 2025 and beyond, performed by Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell with Professor Rangi Mātāmua. Matariki Hunga Nui – Calling Me Home will be available on all streaming platforms on June 16, with a music video and short documentary to be released on Waiata Anthems platforms that same week.

Auckland is set to celebrate the Māori New Year with an explosion of light, music and arts, with no shortage of free and ticketed events on offer. In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, many of them celebrate reflection, remembrance and giving thanks to whānau and community.