The Matariki Pewhairangi Bay of Islands festival runs for a fortnight with two streams. Experience Matariki aims to bring people together: listen to kōrero or storytelling, rug up to watch a movie under the stars, check out a concert (Troy Kingi!) or kick back with friends and whānau. Feast Matariki celebrates the region at local restaurants, markets and hāngi.
What: Matariki Pēwhairangi Bay of Islands
When: Friday, June 26 – Sunday, July 12
More info: matarikinz.com
TĀMAKI MAKAURAU, AUCKLAND
In 2019, Waiata Anthems debuted at No 1 in the NZ Music Charts – the first 100% reo Māori album to make it. Dame Hinewehi Mohi came up with the concept of Kiwi artists reframing English-language songs, including the National Anthem, into waiata reo Māori.
In 2026, rising stars Jordyn with a Why, Mohi and Geneva AM, sensational high-school Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae Kapa Haka and the Auckland Philharmonia recreate the album at Auckland’s Town Hall.
As well as orchestral arrangements of Tami Neilson’s Roimata/Cry Myself to Sleep, Stan Walker’s Tēnā Rā Koe/Thank You and Drax Project’s I Moeroa/Woke Up Late, you’ll hear new readings of more recent hits.
What: Waiata Anthems in Concert
When: Thursday, July 9
Where: Auckland Town Hall
More info: aucklandphil.nz/news/matariki-artists
HERETAUNGA, TE MATAU-A-MĀUI, HASTINGS & HAWKE’S BAY
One of the longest-running and most strongly established celebrations, its history stretches way back before someone in Wellington sent an email to their minister that said, “Hey, wouldn’t it be a good idea if…”
Full credit then to the Hastings District Council for its staunch commitment to the Flaxmere community and its annual celebration, Matariki Tāpuapua, The Pools of Matariki.
It’s been running longer than many social media platforms, a time to remember lost ones and celebrate new beginnings. Expect stunning carvings, floating lanterns on waterways, performances, storytelling, kids’ arts and crafts, face painting and kai.
What: The Pools of Matariki
When: Monday, June 29, 6-9pm
Where: The Pond, Flaxmere Park
More info: hastingsdc.govt.nz/our-council/my-hastings/article/3478/matariki-at-waiaroha-and-more
Matariki Tāpuapua lights up Flaxmere Park. Photo / Supplied
TARANAKI
While much of Aotearoa celebrates Matariki, the West Coast regions look to a different whetū. Due to the towering Taranaki Maunga, the Matariki cluster is often obscured during midwinter, so iwi look toward the single bright star Puanga (Rigel in astronomy), which rises above the mountain to herald the Māori New Year.
Unfortunately, one of the nation’s most magical events, the Festival of Lights winter pop-up along the Coastal Walkway, fell victim to New Plymouth council cost-cutting this year. However, the Taranaki Regional Council has organised a family day at Piwakawaka Family Hut, about 30 minutes outside the city, to explore the Māori worldview of the environment. Star of the show: resident kiwi Puanga.
What: Puanga hīkoi and kōrero
When: Monday, July 6
Where: 2290 Carrington Rd, Pukeiti
More info: trc.govt.nz/gardens/whats-on/puanga-hikoi-and-korero
TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA, WELLINGTON
Sorry, Oscar Wilde: at this time of year, it’s not some of who are looking at the stars, but all of us. Te Ara Whānui ki te Rangi Space Place is devoting several programmes and interactive exhibits to the festival until July 19.
Matariki Together (Sunday 12 July, 10am-3pm) is an all-ages day of star talks in the planetarium, kapa haka from Tīwhanawhana, a whānau craft activity and storytelling.
Ngā Tohunga Whakatere - The Navigators is a planetarium film sharing the story of Māori, Pasifika and later European navigation towards Aotearoa through the eyes of a young girl, Moko.
She dreams of becoming a master star navigator like her tūpuna and her koro, Jack, and finds herself travelling through time and space in a fully immersive planetarium show on Space Place’s stunning digital, full-dome planetarium screen. The 30-minute events are suitable for ages 8 and over.
What: Matariki Events
When: Until July 19
Where: Space Place, Wellington Botanic Gardens
More info: museumswellington.org.nz/celebrate-matariki-at-space-place
A fire pit warms Wellington’s Matariki waterfront celebrations. Photo / Billie Win
WAITAHA, TE TAUIHU-O-TE-WAKA, TOP OF THE SOUTH
Great Journeys NZ, which operates the country’s three long-distance tourist trains, is offering a special night-time run of the Coastal Pacific route from Ōtautahi along the ocean shore to experience Matariki in Kaikōura.
The $499, eight-hour round trip offers an evening of astronomy and cultural discovery under stunning night skies, including a four-course winter-themed dinner onboard (two courses each way), a stargazing experience hosted by Destination Kaikōura, the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust and Moana Skies, with telescopes, a warming firepit, night market, plus training in how to take sky photos with your phone.
What: Matariki rail experience
When: Saturday, July 11
Where: Christchurch-Kaikōura-Christchurch
More info: greatjourneysnz.com/short-breaks-and-packages/matariki/
The Kaikōura night sky dazzles on the Matariki Rail Experience. Photo / Supplied
ŌTĀKOU ŌTEPOTI, DUNEDIN
Usually linked to Scottish traditions, Ōtepoti Dunedin celebrates a longer heritage with Matariki mā Puaka (Puanga further north), a free, family-friendly event on Friday, July 10.
Held at Logan Park, the evening brings live music headlined by Tiki Taane, a food truck village, kapa haka and cultural experiences including hands-on workshops, stalls and storytelling. As night falls, two drone performances bring stories of Matariki and Puaka to life in the southern sky.
What: Matariki mā Puaka
When: Friday, July 10
Where: Logan Park, Ōtepoti Dunedin
More info: dunedinnz.com/visit/dunedin-events/matariki
Crowds walk through light installations at Matariki mā Puaka. Photo / Dunedin NZ