It’s time once again to turn your face to the north-eastern skies and search for the constellation known as Matariki, the star cluster that marks the Māori New Year – Te Mātahi o te Tau – and their appearance signals a time for remembrance, reflection, and renewal.
To honour the significance of this stellar event, Aotearoa will again celebrate with a public holiday, this year falling on Friday 20 June 2025.
Matariki is a star cluster that can be seen on New Zealand’s eastern horizon just before the rising of the sun, typically appearing in our skies in mid-winter. For Matariki to be visible as a heliacal star it needs to be at least 5° above the horizon while the sun is at least -16° below it. Any closer and the light of the sun will make Matariki invisible.
If you’d like to experience the magic of Matariki for yourself, set your alarm early and rise before dawn. The best time to view Matariki is between 5:30am and 6:30am, weather permitting.
Head outside, face east (rāwhiti), and gaze towards the horizon. Binoculars or a telescope will help, as will a thermos of hot drinks and plenty of warm layers – it’s the middle of winter, after all.
Whether you’re at a maunga, beach, park, or campsite, welcoming Matariki is a beautiful way to slow down, reflect, and set intentions for the year ahead.
Six great spots to view Matariki:
1. Matariki ki te Maunga
Join Matariki Festival iwi manaaki / hosts Ngāti Tamaoho for a special pre-dawn ceremony on Friday 20 June at Pukekohe Hill Reserve (340 Anzac Road, Pukekohe) to welcome Matariki rising in the sky.
Following karakia, enjoy a warm breakfast and entertainment at the Ngaa Hau e Whaa Marae (88 Beatty Road, Pukekohe).
This special celebration is open to all—come together in reflection, renewal, and community spirit. Find out more at the Matariki Festival website.
2. Martins Bay Holiday Park
Tucked away on the eastern coast near Warkworth, Martins Bay Holiday Park is a peaceful, family-friendly spot that offers stunning views out over Kawau Bay—perfect for catching the rise of Matariki over the water. With minimal light pollution, it’s an ideal location for early morning stargazing.
Whether you're staying in a cabin or camping beneath the stars, this sheltered bay provides a quiet and reflective setting to welcome Te Tau Hou / New Year. Take a short stroll along the beach and watch as the first light of the Māori New Year breaks over the horizon.
3. Take to the maunga
Maungawhau / Mount Eden.
Auckland is famous for its 48 volcanic cones, so it should be a piece of cake to choose a maunga (mountain) that is meaningful to you; walk or bike to the top (following the formed paths of course) - then prepare to see in the New Year from a great height.
So what will it be? Are you a Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill sort of stargazer? Do you prefer Maungawhau / Mt Eden? How about Maungarei / Mt Wellington, Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mt Albert, or Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere?
One thing’s certain, whichever Tūpuna Maunga you choose, you’ll find plenty of space to ooh and ah over the New Year’s first dawn light.
4. Island Horizons
Come enjoy the starry sky at Aotea / Great Barrier Island. Photo credit: Mark Russell
For an unforgettable Matariki experience, consider heading out to one of Auckland’s islands, where the skies are darker and the stars shine brighter.
Great Barrier Island / Aotea, one of only a few International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world, offers some of the clearest night skies in the motu—perfect for spotting the full brilliance of the Matariki cluster.
Kawau Island provides a peaceful, off-grid escape with open skies and minimal light pollution, ideal for early-morning viewing from the beach or jetty.
Closer to the city, Waiheke Island combines beautiful coastal views with easy access. Gather with whānau, wrap up warm, and find a quiet eastern-facing bay or lookout point to reflect on the year that’s passed and the one ahead. Check out Waiheke Backpackers Hostel for a cost-friendly accommodation option for your long weekend – there are even private double rooms!
Wherever you go, these island sanctuaries offer a chance to welcome Te Tau Hou Māori surrounded by nature and sea.
5. Maungauika / North Head, Devonport
Overlooking the Waitematā Harbour, this historic headland offers uninterrupted views of Rangitoto and the eastern horizon. Once a Māori pā site and military stronghold, Maungauika is now a popular spot for stargazing and soaking in the pre-dawn light of Matariki.
6. Duder Regional Park
On the Whakakaiwhara Peninsula to the east, Duder Regional Park is a serene coastal park rich with Māori history and sweeping views of the Hauraki Gulf, where you can stay overnight at the Te Whetuki House bach.
If you’re visiting for sunrise, remember that vehicle access gates open at 6am – but you can still enter on foot earlier – it’s a 15–20-minute walk to the best viewing spots from the gate.
Handy star-finding guide:
You’ll find Matariki low on the north-eastern horizon, between 5:30am–6:30am. Start by locating Tautoru (Orion’s Belt or "The Pot"), then follow the line past the bright orange star Taumata-kuku.
Just beyond it, you’ll see a tight cluster of stars – that’s Matariki. Binoculars help, and here’s a trick: try looking just to the side of the stars, rather than directly at them.
Need help getting there?
Visit the Auckland Transport website to check early morning public transport options and plan your trip.
