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This Friday (July 10, 2026) is Matariki. It is a Māori holiday to celebrate the New Year. Since 2022, Matariki has been an official holiday for Māori in New Zealand.
In this article, you will learn more about the origin and meaning of Matariki.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is an abbreviation of ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea’ (‘The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea’) and refers to the Pleiades star cluster, which contains over 1,000 stars. The word Matariki refers to the cluster of seven stars visible to the eye, though some traditions name nine, including the star Matariki.
According to Māori legend, the god of the wind, Tāwhirimātea, was so angry when his siblings tore apart their parents, Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the sky.
I once heard that Matariki is the ancient homeland of the Māori. I don’t know how this is any different from Hawaiki, where the Māori originally come from and return after death.
Matariki is a time to be thankful and to show respect to the earth (Whenua). It is a time of growth and change. It is a time to prepare and for action. During Matariki, you celebrate what you have and what you must give.
When is Matariki celebrated?
Matariki is celebrated in New Zealand in the middle of winter, following the position of the stars and the moon. This year, Matariki falls between July 8 and 11. The public holiday is on July 10.
In traditional Māori culture, there was a wealth of knowledge about astronomy. The constellations and the lunar cycle were used to navigate the sea, plant crops and harvest them, distinguish the seasons, and determine the spawning times and migration patterns of fish.
You can see the Matariki constellation in New Zealand almost all year round. Except in winter, when the constellation sets on a May evening.
When the Matariki constellation finally rises and is visible again, the celebration of Matariki begins. This is in the last or fourth quarter until the new moon. It is usually in late June or July because the Māori calendar has 354 days. Last year, Matariki was on June 20; this year, it is on July 10; and in 2027, it will be on June 25.
How is Matariki celebrated?
Matariki is celebrated at dawn. Traditionally, those who have passed away in the past year are remembered. The present is celebrated, and preparations are made for the upcoming year. It is a time to reflect, to connect, and to take action.
The celebration has three parts:
The first is to look at the stars. The stars’ brightness, sparkle, and color are said to predict the weather and the coming year’s harvest.
The second part of the celebration is to remember the deceased. The names of the people who have passed on to the afterlife are recited.
The third part of the celebration involves offering food to the stars. In an underground oven (hāngī), potatoes (kūmara), birds, freshwater fish, or shellfish are prepared. When the hāngī is opened, fumes are released into the air. This is the food for the stars. It is the last part of the celebration and lasts until the sun rises.
After this ceremony, days of celebration with song and dance follow, marking the prosperity and promise of the coming year.
In the past, young Māori were given instructions about the land and the forest during Matariki.
Traditionally, kites (manu tukutuku) are made in the shape of a human being on Matariki. It is a way to communicate with the deceased while flying the kite.
Celebrate Matariki in your area
Matariki is celebrated in New Zealand and other countries where Māori and their iwi (tribes) live.
In the Netherlands, Matariki will be celebrated on Saturday, 11 July at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. It starts outside at 10:30 with a traditional Pōwhiri at the Wharewaka (the boathouse).
->Reading tip: The haka: Different Types and their Meaning
During the day, you can also paddle in a traditional Māori canoe (Waka), listen to Māori stories, perform a haka, or make a manu tukutuku (kite). More information can be found here.
You can also go to London (UK) to celebrate Matariki here and here.
Of course, you can also go to the Matariki Festival in New Zealand. This year, it takes place from June 7 to July 13 at several locations. Visit the official Matariki Festival website for more information.
I am convinced that iwi (tribes) celebrate Matariki in several places around the world. I encourage you to look it up.
How do you take action and prepare for the upcoming year? Let me know in the comment box below. I, and other readers of this article, look forward to reading from you!
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Have you seen an error in this article? Please let me know, and I would be grateful! It is not my intention to offend the Māori.
Update: The original article was published on June 21, 2025, and updated on July 8, 2026.
Sources:
– Matariki-on Wikipedia
– Matariki – Te Tau Hou Māori
– Matariki
