The rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa signals the start of the Māori New Year.
Historically, Matariki was a time for whānau to come together, acknowledge the year gone by, prepare and plan for the year ahead, and share kai, kōrero, ceremony and entertainment. That kaupapa continues through the Matariki Festival 2026, taking place from 4 to 19 July across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Presented by Ngāti Tamaoho in collaboration with Auckland Council Events, the festival offers more than 100 free and low-cost events across the region, giving Aucklanders many ways to take part in the Māori New Year.
This year’s theme, Matariki ki te Rangi, focuses on celestial knowledge, aspiration and renewal. It encourages people to look upward to ngā whetū, the stars, to reflect, find guidance and think about our shared responsibility to care for the taiao, moana and whenua.
From early morning ceremonies to local exhibitions, community gatherings and opportunities to care for the environment, the programme invites Aucklanders to mark the Māori New Year in ways that feel meaningful to them.
Welcome the stars before sunrise
Dawn ceremonies offer a chance to welcome the rising of Matariki before the day gets underway. At Matariki ki Rawene, gather before sunrise for kai, kōrero, artmaking and hands-on workshops. It is also an opportunity to pause, remember those who have passed and look toward the year ahead.
Make a day of it with whānau
Matariki is also a time to spend time with your loved ones, and many events across the programme are designed for tamariki and the whole whānau. Head to your local library, community centre, gallery or museum to take part in hands-on activities, games, artmaking and workshops. Map the Matariki stars, make manu aute kites, experiment with clay and natural textures or get moving through dance.
Follow the whetū through art and making
See how Matariki inspires artists and makers across Tāmaki Makaurau, from weaving and wearable art to natural materials and stories about the whetū. The Hei Āpōpō exhibition at Lake House Arts brings together raranga, whatu and tāniko by the Kaipātiki Weaving Rōpū. Made with harakeke, muka, pīngao and kiekie, the works look to Hiwa-i-te-rangi through tūmanako, wawata, whakapapa and kaitiakitanga. At the Papakura Museum, the nine whetū of Matariki have been reimagined through wearable art, offering another way to see the stars reflected in contemporary creative practice.
Rug up for an evening market
Winter evenings are part of the magic of Matariki, with markets, kai, shared meals and community gatherings bringing people together after dark. The evening market at Corban Estate Arts Centre invites you to wander through stalls from local artists, makers and creatives, enjoy hot kai and write a wish to Hiwa-i-te-rangi with artist Penny Howard.
Plant a tree for the year ahead
Matariki ki te Rangi asks people to look upward to ngā whetū, the stars, while also thinking about the places that sustain us. Roll up your sleeves and spend time outdoors at planting events across the region, helping care for local awa, native habitats, whenua and waterways.
Whether you are rising before dawn, making something with tamariki, visiting a local exhibition, sharing kai after dark or planting for the season ahead, Matariki Festival 2026 offers many ways to welcome the Māori New Year across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Explore the full programme at matarikifestival.org.nz.