When the dazzling lights of Matariki return bright in our dawn skies around June or July each year, it heralds the start of the Māori New Year – Te Tau Hou Māori. This year, Matariki will be celebrated between 19 June to 11 July
What’s on
Celebrate Matariki 2021 with the Harmonic Resonators and Te Kapahaka o Te Tini o Toi
Huria Marae, Tauranga l Friday, 11 June, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Find out more and purchase tickets here.
Grant Haua Matariki Celebration Show
The Jam Factory, Tauranga l Saturday, 12 June, 7 PM
Find out more and purchase tickets here.
Guided Walk at Ōtanewainuku Forest
Ōtanewainuku Forest, Oropi l Sunday, 20 June, 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Find out more here.
Matariki Family Fun Day
Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga l Saturday, 26 June, 10 AM – 3 PM
Find out more here.
Matariki Night Run
Memorial Park, Tauranga l Saturday, 3 July, 4 – 8 PM
Find out more here.
Here in Aotearoa, the appearance of these stars signals Matariki, and is a time to gather with whānau and friends to reflect on the past and remember and honour those that have passed on, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.
This cluster of stars, known as the Pleiades, is given the Māori name Matariki, which translates to the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki). According to traditional narrative, when Ranginui (sky father) and Papatūānuku (earth mother) were separated by their children, the god of winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry he ripped out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.
Next year, Aotearoa will celebrate the first Matariki public holiday on Friday, 24 June. The timing of the holiday will change from year to year.