Matariki a.k.a. Māori New Year is just around the corner (Friday 20 June to be exact). A time of reflection and new beginnings, Tāmaki Makaurau is busting out all the stops with a treasure trove of ways to celebrate with everything from kite-flying, to harakeke workshops, full-blown festivals and street parties popping up across the city.
So let's join in the festivities—which also honour how Māori navigators were guided to New Zealand by the stars, including a cluster called, you guessed it, Matariki—and celebrate this incredibly unique part of our culture.
Here are 14 of the best Matariki events in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and elsewhere in Aotearoa in 2025. And if you're looking for restaurants and cafes that'll be open on the Matariki public holiday, that's here.
Ways To Celebrate Matariki In Auckland
Attempt To Paddle A Double Hull Waka
Papakura | 15 June
Image credit: Matariki Festival | website
There might not be a more auspicious time to try paddling a double hull waka than during Matariki. And on this particular occasion, paddlers will get to learn about the significance of Otaawhati and Pahurehure Inlet to local iwi. This experience is free and open to everyone, regardless of paddling experience (or utter lack thereof).
Wish Upon A Whetū
Stardome, Epsom | June & July
Matariki - Ngā Whetū o te Tau Hou, which translates to The Stars of the New Year, is a star-studded show at The Stardome that’s a bit out of this world (we had to). This fifty-minute show will take you through the night sky, celebrating Matariki and a new page in Maramataka—the Māori lunar calendar—with astronomy and pūrakau.
Witness A Street Battle Of Stellar Proportions
Takutai Square | 19 June
'Isope 'Akau'ola's Tāwhiri's Ring is a mythic clash reimagined in dance battle form. In an electric combination of krump, haka, shadow-boxing and pure energy executed in spectacular fashion by The NewZealand Dance Company and Unitec Dance, you won't want to miss this. Entry is free. Check out everything else Britomart has in store for Matariki celebrations here including a mammoth open air Matariki Festival Finale on 10 July.
Feast Up On A Matariki Hot Pot
Onemata, Wynyard Quarter | 19-21 June
Image credit: Onemata | supplied
There's an unmistakable bite to the air at the moment and a hearty hot pot split with a loved one is surely in order. Luckily, Onemata's dishing up Kai Moana Ka Hurihuri—a hot pot loaded with seafood, kumara and taro tofu, fresh local greens and preserved shittake mushrooms in an aromatic fish broth. Summon it to your table for $90.
Revel In Lightography
Auckland Harbour Bridge | 19-28 June
Tāmaki Makaurau’s Harbour Bridge is playing host to a gorgeous light show specially curated by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Representing Te Ahikāroa which translates to the long-burning fires of occupation or an enduring relationship with the land that transcends time, gazing upon the lights is the perfect opportunity to reflect on where you’ve been and what’s to come. The first show begins at 6pm each night, playing every 15 minutes 'til midnight.
Whāia Te Waiora
Karangahape Road | 19-21 June
Image credit: Karangahape Business Association | website
Get amongst the celebrations early with a three-day Matariki street party along Karangahape Road. Take a stroll along Tāmaki Makaurau's most iconic road for installations, activations and experiences, from a home-cooked meal by Aunty Sandra (Sinda Vintage) to board games and fries at Verona, The Great Kūmara Hunt, soup shots at Carmen Jones, live music, a Māori makers pop-up shop, soil painting, drag excellence, a dance battle, and more. Full lineup here.
See Matariki Rising
Pukekohe Hill Reserve | 20 June
Image credit: Matariki Festival | website
You know what they say about early birds except this is the sparkle edit. Yes siree, if you can manage to get yourself out of bed and along to Pukekohe Hill Reserve by 5am you'll witness a Karakia Dawn Ceremony, and the rising of the matariki star cluster which we reckon is downright gorgeous. And as if it needed to be any better, you'll be rewarded for all your hard mahi (the aforementioned waking up early) with breakfast at Ngā Hau e Wha Marae. A similar event is happening at Bastion Point.
Make Art Inspired By The Wai Of Aotearoa
Auckland Art Gallery | 20 June
Image credit: Auckland Art Gallery | David St George
This Matariki, Auckland Art Gallery will be awash in the soulful sonic of kapa haka, waiata and kōrero with a culturally rich programme of events and activities. Highlights include the return of Taane Mete for the performance of new work, HĪKOI, fried bread and boil up from the Gallery Cafe and an immersive spotlight on the healing properties of kawakawa.
Swap Your Desk For A Garden Party
Manurewa | 20 June
Flock to the Auckland Botanic Gardens for kapa haka, waiata, carving demonstrations, kite making and live art in the family-friendly Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki - Matariki Festival Day. The festivities kick off at 10am, run through 'til 4pm and entry is free.
Fly A Kite
Mount Roskill | 6 July
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. Entrance is free.
Ways To Celebrate Matariki Around Aotearoa
Deepen Your Matariki Knowledge At Te Papa
Wellington, 31 May-29 June
Image credit: Te Papa | Tia Nepia Su'a
Pōneke’s iconic museum, Te Papa, has a sensational lineup of free events for Matariki this year so if you’re in the capital, be sure to get amongst. There's a whole lot to choose from but we're especially excited about the Rēwena bread bug creation workshop, the adults-only late-night celebrations and the Matariki Māori business showcase. Full lineup here.
Dive Into Everything Matariki
Ōtautahi | 7-22 June
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is collaboratinging with a bunch of artists and practitioners in a Matariki festival that spans almost the whole month of June. The lineup is massive. At a glance, expect Wednesday night stargazing, waiata, harakeke wall hanging and harakeke star workshops, boil up, kapa haka, poetry and a mākete (market) showcasing the mahi of Māori artists and craftspeople.
Celebrate Matariki In The Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands | 14-28 June
Of course, Matariki celebrations aren't limited to Tāmaki Makaurau and one spot that's going all-out for the occasion is the country's birthplace, 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!
Feel The Magic Where Stonehenge and Matariki Collide
Waiarapa | 20 June
Image credit: Stonehenge Aotearoa | website
You’ve probably definitely heard of Stonehenge, but did you know we have one here too? No joke, Stonehenge Aotearoa exists and it’s an open air astronomical observatory. Wild. They’re throwing a special Matariki event where you’ll explore the cultural significance of Matariki, a.k.a. The Pleiades star cluster, around the world and their physical nature. It’s sure to be a star-studded way (sorry not sorry) to celebrate the Māori New Year.
For more exciting Matariki events, check out Auckland Council's Matariki Festival website.
Main image credit: Getty Images / Jordanwhipps1987.