Matariki Celebrations Begin This Friday as New Zealand Marks Fifth Anniversary of Public Holiday
The Māori New Year, Matariki, will be celebrated nationwide on Friday, July 10, marking the fifth anniversary since it became a public holiday in New Zealand. The event, which aligns with the rising of the Matariki star cluster and lunar phases, will feature a live stream of the Matariki Herenga Waka ceremony from Takaparawhau on TVNZ+ at 6am, according to Professor Rangi Mātāmua, chief advisor on mātauranga Matariki.
The celebration, hosted by Auckland-based iwi Ngāti Whātua, carries the theme “Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone,” emphasizing inclusivity. Since 2022, nationally broadcast “hautapu” events have marked the occasion in cities including Wellington, Rotorua, Wānaka, and Ohakune, with each host iwi showcasing unique traditions to strengthen connections to mātauranga (Māori knowledge), Mātāmua said.
How to Spot Matariki and What the Stars Represent
The midwinter celebration, which spans seven to eight days, is tied to the visibility of the Matariki star cluster before dawn. Observers are advised to locate the Southern Cross (Te Punga), then trace a line east to Orion’s Belt (Tautoru), continuing north to the Hyades (Te Kokotā), where Matariki appears. Puanga, a star significant to some iwi, also marks the New Year’s arrival, according to the source.
The Matariki cluster includes nine stars, with Matariki itself considered the “mother” of the others. Each star holds symbolic meaning: Pōhutukawa guides the deceased, Tupuānuku relates to ground-based food, Tupuārangi to forest and tree-based resources, Waitī to freshwater, Waitā to marine life, Waipunarangi to rainfall, Ururangi to winds, and Hiwa-i-te-rangi as the “wishing” star, the source states.
Why the Celebration Matters and Its Growing Reach
The event underscores the integration of Māori traditions into New Zealand’s national calendar, with Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, Secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, highlighting the theme’s connection to the whakataukī “Tāmaki Herenga Waka – the gathering place of canoes.” This reflects efforts to unite diverse communities, including Pacific nations and the European Union, as noted in the source.
French Polynesia, which celebrated its first Matari’i i ni’a public holiday in 2023, further illustrates the cultural exchange tied to Matariki, the source mentions. The live broadcast from Waitematā Harbour aims to extend the celebration’s reach beyond local communities, according to Mātāmua.
What May Happen Next
As Matariki gains prominence, future celebrations may see increased participation from international communities, given the existing ties with Pacific nations and the EU.
