Below is a selection of events held around New Zealand celebrating Matariki. Follow the web links to see the full listings.
NOTE: If you know of events we have missed, please get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Northland
30 June–22 July: Matariki Pēwhairangi Bay of Islands is packed with events to feed your mind, body, and soul! Story-telling, cultural experiences, Matariki-inspired feasts, artisan markets, music, family fun, and some of the best star-gazing opportunities in the land.
Find out more: https://matarikinz.com/
Auckland
For a full list of events celebrating Matariki in Auckland check out: www.matarikifestival.org.nz/
Matariki Hunga Nui Matariki Hunga Nui
1–2 and 8–9 July: Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum and The New Zealand Dance Company invite you to gather your loved ones and embark on a journey that celebrates the magic and meaning of Matariki, the Māori New Year.
Find out more: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/visit/whats-on/maori/matariki-hunga-nui
Matariki at Stardome
Following three years of sell-out runs, Stardome’s annual Matariki celebrations return with a new show for 2023.
Find out more: https://www.stardome.org.nz/movie/matariki---te-whet-o-te-tau-hou
Waikato
Matariki at the Museum
16 June–16 July: This year's Matariki programme at Waikato Museum celebrates with public talks, movie screenings and events for the whole family.
Find out more: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/2145883780/matariki-at-the-museum
15 July: Maanawatia a Matariki is a free, family-friendly event at Hamilton Lake Domain, with food music and activities.
Find out more: https://hamilton.govt.nz/your-city/city-events/maanawatia-a-matariki
Wellington
Te Papa
2 June–16 July: Mānawatia a Matariki! Come celebrate Matariki at Te Papa with a series of whakangahau, kōrero and whānau-friendly activities that allow you to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and plan for the future.
Find out more: https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events/matariki-2023-te-papa
Matariki at the Museum
1–16 July: At Wellington Museum, Te Wheke will host Matariki commemorative lantern-making crafts; an interactive station for people to write their Matariki wishes for the year ahead; and whānau reading spaces.
Find out more: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/matariki-at-the-museum/
Space Place
13 July: Join Space Place in welcoming the Māori New Year with whānau-friendly activities, and kai. Note that Dawn Stargazing at Space Place is now sold out.
Find out more: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/hakari-below-the-stars
Zealandia
1–16 July: Kimihia Ngā whetū o Matariki Puanga – Sanctuary Star Search. Bring the whānau and join in the Matariki star Search activities whilst exploring the lush ngahere/forest to discover the stars of Matariki hidden in the valley.
Find out more: https://www.visitzealandia.com/Events/ArtMID/2271/ArticleID/479/Kimihia-Ngā-wheū-o-Matariki-Puanga-Sanctuary160Star-Search
Canterbury
Matariki MacKenzie
13–16 July: A diverse range of events from talks, star gazing, workshops and kai.
Find out more here: https://matarikimackenzie.co.nz/
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
3–20 July: Gather your whānau and friends to enjoy a range of events to mark the occasion, with talks, exhibitions, films and more.
Find out more: https://www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/matariki-2023/
Libraries Matariki
26 June–12 July: Explore the traditions and importance of Matariki with information about resources, crafts, and ways to celebrate with Christchurch City Libraries.
Find out more: https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/matariki/
Related content
For more on Matariki check out the Hub’s article The Matariki star cluster.
Explore the wide range of resources we have on Matariki, there is a handy list here.
The webinar Picturebooks for Matariki support teachers to deepen our students and our own understanding of Matariki. The collection Matariki picture books and science contains the resources discussed during this webinar.
See our collection Matariki and Environment Aotearoa 2022 – this uses Te kāhui o Matariki to explore whetū and their domains.
Discover more about Mātauranga Māori and science and explore the range of resources under our mātauranga Māori topic.
Activity ideas
Naming the whetū in te kāhui o Matariki uses online and/or paper-based resources to identify and label the nine whetū in Matariki and learn about their associations with wellbeing and the environment.
Use this activity to teach some of the literacy components required to effectively interpret the infographics used in the Environment Aotearoa 2022 report.
Use this cross-curricular activity to explore written and visual components of the Environment Aotearoa 2022 report’s Matariki representations. Great inspiration for poetry and art!
Constellations in the night sky explores star clusters and constellations and cultural legends about them.
Useful links
See the Matariki website from the Manatū Taonga – Ministry for Culture & Heritage for more event listings, information about the importance of Matariki and more.
Dr Rangi Matamua, a leading expert on Matariki and Māori astronomy, on what it means – and the science that underpins it, How Matariki will connect us all.
Read this blog post on the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor website Aotearoa’s first mātauranga-based holiday – it is by Dr Pauline Harris and explains how the Matariki holiday dates were calculated
