15 Of The Best Ways To Celebrate Matariki In 2026
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | Urban List NZ
Matariki approaches, this year landing on Friday 10 July. Marking the arrival of the Matariki star cluster in the sky, and the dawning of the Māori New Year or 'te mātahi o te tau', the celebration is all about gathering together with loved ones to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future.
Only recognised (mortifyingly) as an official public holiday in 2022, the event has been warmly and widley embraced, with more and more celebrations popping up every year. This year's theme, which was chosen by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, is 'Matariki Herenga Waka - for everyone', a beautiful expression of unity, connection and shared heritage.
So with that in mind, here are some of the ways you can celebrate Matariki in Tāmaki Makaurau, and beyond.
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- Ways To Celebrate Matariki In Tāmaki Makaurau In 2026
- Matariki Events Taking Place In The Rest Of Aotearoa In 2026
Ways To Celebrate Matariki In Tāmaki Makaurau In 2026
Matariki At Britomart
Waitematā
We're immediately obsessed with anything that happens in Takutai Square. The team behind the curation are so creative and thoughtful, and every one of their events and collabs reflect this. Matariki is no exception with events either side of the day itself. Highlights include a month-long Mangōpare light installation by Arama Tamariki-Enua as part of the Tūhono Light Trail in collaboration with Angus Muri and Catherine Ellis, with soundscape by Peter Hobbs (with free hot chocolate and pastries by Miann and Amano for its launch on Friday 26 June); an evening of kapa haka, and a lunchtime DJ and hāngi session.
The Details
When: June and July
Where: Takutai Square
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Wish Upon A Whetū
Stardome, 670 Manukau Road, One Tree Hill Domain, Epsom
The Stardome really pops off on Matariki with a series of events from planetarium shows and an open day, to live music and a self-guided hīkoi of Maungakiekie. But this year, we're extra excited about the Matariki Mauri Tua or guided meditation which has been described as an invitation to remind people to slow down, reconnect and remember their place in the universe. Book into the sessions on 19 July to be guided by rangatahi facilitator and Māori meditation teacher, Te Aorangi Morini.
The Details
When: June and July
Where: Stardome, 670 Manukau Road, One Tree Hill Domain, Epsom
Cost: Varies
Find out more here.
Matariki Crafts
Various locations
If you're looking for some tactile ways of celebrating Matariki (particularly for little ones), there are loads of creative workshops on offer dotted across the city, many of which are free or low-cost. Take this Matariki star-inspired mindful macramé session at Glen Innes Library, poi-making at Epsom Community Library, Matariki memory stone-painting at the New Zealand Maritime Museum, or star mapping drawing (which is for adults as well as teens) at Pah Homestead.
The Details
When: July
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
Find out more at the links above.
Opening Of Tatty Naff
Northart, 1 Ernie Mays Street, Northcote
Northart Gallery is being transformed by Tutu Fingers Collective into a 1970s-inspired whare dubbed Tatty Naff, and the launch event makes for a stunning layer to your Matariki celebrations. The installation, elements of which reference a Matariki whētu, speaks to communal space and togetherness, using light, textured fabrics, bamboo, modular seating and collective construction to reflect the conceptual architecture and relational flow of a whare. The installation will be live until 8 August.
The Details
When: 4 July 2026
Where: Northart, 1 Ernie Mays Street, Northcote
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Matariki 2026: Te Karanga-a-Hape
Karangahape Road
Image credit: Karangahape Business Association | website
Celebrate Matariki with a dawn-'til-dusk (and beyond) festival on Karangahape Road. Kicking off with a sunrise karakia at 6.30am, and stretching right through to 10pm, expect free art installations, kai, activations, plus live music and storytelling. While the full lineup is yet to be announced, it's already looking sensational, with performances by Mā, Ladi6, Halfqueen and Waiwhai, MC'd by Janaye Henry, as well as a community breakfast at Coco's Cantina, boil up by Pici, and an illuminated Pōhutukawa in Myers Park where you can lie beneath the light and remember those who have passed on.
The Details
When: 9 July 2026
Where: Karangahape Road
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Waiata Anthems In Concert
Auckland Town Hall, 301/317 Queen Street
Back in 2019 Waiata Anthems became the first 100% reo Māori album to top the NZ Music Charts (and it went on to sit in the NZ Top 40 for 16 weeks). This Matariki the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra with up-and-coming young Waiata Anthems artists, Jordyn with a Why, MOHI, Geneva AM and Ngā Tapuwae Kapa Haka are bringing the album's original songs to life in one helluva soundbath they've dubbed Waiata Anthems In Concert.
The Details
When: 9 July 2026
Where: Auckland Town Hall, 301/317 Queen Street, Auckland Central
Cost: Varies
Find out more here.
Hautapu Ā-Motu
Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, Ōrākai
Image credit: Matariki Festival | website
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei's annual Hautapu ceremony begins at 5.30am on Matariki and will be broadcast nation-wide. It's part of a series of five Matariki events taking place either side of Matariki including a Matariki Planting Day (also at Bastion Point), MAHUTA! concert at Paepae Theatre, Matariki Twilight Markets at Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park which just so happens to be where you'll find yourself if you follow the path of Tūhono, the world's longest indigenous art trail (and it starts at Te Kōmititanga).
The Details
When: 10 July 2026
Where: Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, Ōrākei
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Matariki Ahunga Nui 2026
Auckland Art Gallery
Image credit: Auckland Art Gallery | David St George
This Matariki, Auckland Art Gallery is hosting a culturally rich programme of kapa haka, music, creative workshops, and kai. Artist Taane Mete is returning with new contemporary dance work 'Pīata' which is inspired by Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the youngest star in the Matariki cluster, dubbed the 'wishing star' of future growth.
The Details
When: 10 July 2026
Where: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1 Kitchener Street, Auckland CBD
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Fly A Kite
Puketāpapa/Mount Roskill Summit
Watch kites of all shapes and sizes take to the skies in an incredible visual spectacle at the Puketāpapa Manu Aute Kite Day. The one-day festival is inspired by the manu aute (kites made from the aute plant), manu tukutuku (kites with long tails) and manu taratahi (kites with a single plume) once used by Māori to send messages to the heavens.
The Details
When: 12 July 2026
Where: Puketāpapa/Mount Roskill Summit, 1109 Dominion Road, Mt Roskill
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Celestial Matariki Market
Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland City Centre
Māori wāhine-led creative kaupapa, Celestial Corner, has curated a Celestial Matariki Market upstairs in the Woman's Pioneer Hall at Ellen Melville Centre. Come through for locally-handmade treasures, chill-out zones and free creative activities, backed by live DJ sets.
(P.s. If you're a market girlie or guy, you'll want to pop SkyCity's Matariki Night Markets on 3, 4, 10 and 11 July, and the I Love Takapuna Matariki Market on 11 July in your calendar, too.)
The Details
When: 18 July 2026
Where: Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland City Centre
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Matariki Events Taking Place In The Rest Of Aotearoa In 2026
Celebrate Matariki In The Bay of Islands
Pēwhairangi/Bay of Islands
Of course, Matariki celebrations aren't limited to Tāmaki Makaurau and one spot that's going all-out for the occasion is the Bay of Islands. Steeped in cultural significance, this gorgeous region is bringing us their annual Matariki Pēwhairangi, a two week-long celebration featuring the likes of film, story-telling, workshops, waiata and a whole lot of kai. Ka rawe!
The Details
When: 26 June-12 July 2026
Where: Pēwhairangi/Bay Of Islands
Cost: Varies
Find out more here.
Matariki After Dark: Leading From The Front
Te Papa
Revel in Matariki with a stirring evening of art and music at Matariki After Dark. This adults-only Matariki celebration will feature R&B, hip-hop blended beats with KOREKASH; Cook Island dance performances by Inano Dance; workshops on tīvaevae and weaving, plus kōrero about waka and collection highlights; and chill spaces to play games and relax in great company.
The Details
When: 2 July 2026
Where: Te Papa, 169 Tory Street
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Matariki At The Gallery
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Celebrate the rising of the Punanga and the Matariki star cluster with more free activities than you can shake a pot of stardust at. Te Puna o Waiwhetū is going all-out with weaving workshops, music and poetry performances, science, night sky kōrero, interactive activities and storytelling.
The Details
When: 8-11 July 2026
Where: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, 312 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Matariki Ahi Kā
Wellington Waterfront
Matariki is about being together, honouring those who have passed, and looking ahead to the future so round up your loved ones and take a wander along the Wellington Waterfront to celebrate the rising of Punanga and the Matariki star cluster. Fire projections, kai and live music await, along with the opportunity to honour the dead in a poignant nightly ceremony.
The Details
When: 9-12 July 2026
Where: Wellington Waterfront
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
The Little Big Markets - Matariki
Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui
A day-long Matariki festival is taking place at The Mount's Coronation Park thanks to a collab between Te Puna I Rangiriri Trust and The Little Big Markets. The lineup for the Matariki edit is totally packed with immersive sessions in the Star Dome Observatory's 360 degree indoor digital planetarium, kite-making and other cultural workshops, artisan stalls and kai.
The Details
When: 10 July 2026
Where: Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Matariki Ma Puaka
Ōtepoti-Dunedin
Dunedin is going to come alive (and alight) this Matariki with a series of events across the city. Celebrating the rising of Matariki, alongside the rising of Puaka which has special significance to the southern iwi of Kāi Tahu, the city will have double the celebrations, too. From the Matariki Market at Logan Park, to live mural painting at Forsyth Barr, light installations in the park, two incredible drone light shows, and live music performances headlined by Tiki Taane, the city will be celebrating in true Dunnas style.
The Details
When: 10 July 2026
Where: Across the city
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
For more exciting Matariki events, check out Auckland Council's Matariki Festival website.
Main image credit: MY SIS @JAYYYSLAYS.