Matariki 2025

Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori! We’re celebrating Matariki!

This year, the Matariki public holiday is on 20^th June. Matariki is known as the Māori New Year in Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view).

Closely connected with the maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of the Matariki stars in the early morning sky brings the past year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year.

Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge and wisdom) is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday and it will be a time for;

• Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki
• Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have
• Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a new year

Historically, the stars of Matariki were also closely tied to planting, harvesting and hunting. If the stars appeared clear and bright, it signified an abundant season ahead.

There are many ways to acknowledge the Māori New Year and observe the rising of Matariki;

• Take time to remember loved ones who are no longer with you
• Give thanks for the year that has passed
• Enjoy a Matariki feast together
• Plan for the next year
• Spend time with family and friends
• Write down your wishes for the year
• Plan to grow a garden

Did you know that some iwi look for Puanga? Puanga is given prominence mainly because some iwi struggle to see Matariki clearly from their locality and therefore look to the next important star near Matariki. That star is Puanga.