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Mataraki Herenga Waka, Tāmaki Herenga Tangata
"Matariki, the mooring place of many canoes, Tāmaki the gathering place of many people"
The rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa is an important time in the Māori maramataka (lunar calendar) as it signifies the start of the Māori new year or ‘te mātahi o te tau’. For Māori, astronomy is interwoven into all facets of life. Our tupuna would observe the night sky, charting star and planet movements, the relationship of the stars and planets to the moon and sun, while also noting what was happening on the whenua (land) and in the moana (ocean), lakes, and awa (rivers).
Matariki has different names around the world. In Europe, it is called by its ancient Greek name Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. In Hawaiian it is
Makahiki, and in Japan it is Subaru, meaning gathered together.
Matariki is a time for people to gather, to remember those who have passed, to celebrate the present and look to plan for the future.
We are proud to host the 2026 Matariki National Broadcast in partnership with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, welcoming people from across the motu to our whenua. Guided by the 2026 theme, Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone, it reflects our continued commitment to manaaki and share the celebration of Matariki across Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa.
Nau mai e ngā iwi kia mānawatia a Matariki.
Matariki 2025 Events
Join us for a splendour of special 2026 Matariki events. There is something for everyone.
E rere ana ngā whakamānawa ki ngā kaitautoko. Ko te mihi o te ngākau ki a koutou: Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, Go Media, Ōrākei Local Board, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board, Inghams Chicken
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Planting Day
Join us for our annual Matariki Planting Day, supported by the Ōrākei Local Board. This is a special opportunity for everyone in Tāmaki to come together and give back to whenua during the Matariki season. This year, we will be planting around 3000 native plants on Takaparawhau, Bastion Point 🌱 📆 Saturday 20 June | 9:30am - 1pm 📍Meet at Te Pou Whakairo (59B Kitemoana Street, Ōrākei) Kai & coffee will be provided! See you all there! -
Hautapu ki Takaparawhau
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei invite you to join us at dawn on Takaparawhau as we welcome the Māori new year with a sacred Hautapu ceremony. Friday 20 June @ Takaparawhau 5.30am gather, 6am start Public, Free event -
Mahuta Concert
Come and celebrate the Matariki season with us at MAHUTA! ✨ Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is proud to present an unforgettable night of music, bringing together some of the best kaiwaiata of Te Ao Māori. Curated by Majic Pāora, MAHUTA is a celebration of our voices, our stories and our people. Bring your whānau, bring your friends - this is a night for all of Tāmaki Makaurau! 📍Te Paepae Theatre, NZICC | 18 July | Doors 7:00pm 🎟️ Tickets on sale soon. We can't wait to see you there! -
Matariki Twilight Markets
Celebrate Matariki in the heart of Te Tōangaroa at our Matariki Twilight Market - featuring local Māori kai, mahi toi, Māori performing arts, Māori arts trail, & more Saturday 21 June, 2025 - 4pm-9pm @ Mahuhu Crescent, Te Tōangaroa, Auckland CBD -
Tūhono
Experience the magic of Matariki through Tūhono - an immersive light trail celebrating the stories, people and places of the downtown waterfront. From Te Kōmititanga (Commerical Bay), through Takutai Square at Britomart, ending at Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park in Te Tōangaroa. June 21 - July 9, 2025 -
Matariki Evening Lights
Immerse in a magical evening with music, fire pits, kai and community during the Matariki Evening Lights event. We are lighting up the Harbour Bridge with a remix of the popular Matariki waiata composed and sung by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei talented artist Majic Pāora. The exciting light show depicts the narrative of the Matariki waiata. Saturday 21 June, 6pm @ Silo Park (Wynyard quarter)
Te Iwa o Matariki
Matariki is a cluster of 9 whetū (stars). Each star has its own special characteristic which Māori honour and acknowledge.
PŌHUTUKAWA connects us to our loved ones that have passed on.
TUPUĀNUKU connects us to Papatūānuku (Earth) and determines the bounty of food the grows in the earth, like kumara.
TUPUĀRANGI is connected to birds and other elevated foods such as fruits and berries from trees.
WAITĪ is connected to freshwater and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.
WAITĀ is connected to sea water and all that is in that domain.
WAIPUNĀRANGI is connected to the rain that we experience throughout the year.
URURANGI connects us to the different winds and determines the nature of these winds.
HIWA-I-TE-RANGI is connected to our dreams and aspirations.
MATARIKI is connected to the health and wellbeing of people and the taiao we live in.
Resources
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Learn how to do your own hautapu
Learn how to prepare and carry out your own hautapu. Follow the instructions, including karakia words and audio. -
Matariki Karakia Booklet
This booklet produced by Te Arawhiti, features karakia written by Tā Pou Temara and Professor Rangi Matamua, equips us with the relevant knowledge to understand the traditions of Matariki.
