Matariki 2026
Matariki marks the Māori New Year — the winter rising of the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) — and is New Zealand’s newest national public holiday. In 2026 the holiday falls on Friday, 10 July. The Gregorian date moves each year to align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) and is set in legislation.
About Matariki
History & origins
Matariki is the Māori name for the open star cluster also known as the Pleiades. Traditionally, the heliacal rising of Matariki in the mid-winter sky signalled a time to remember those who had died, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead — including food gathering and the health of the land. Iwi and hapū hold diverse local knowledge; Matariki practice is not a single uniform ritual.
Aotearoa New Zealand established Matariki as a nationwide public holiday under Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022, with the first holiday in 2022. Dates were recommended by a Matariki Advisory Group using maramataka methodology and are scheduled in law through 2052. The public holiday is always a Friday in June or July, chosen near the relevant Tangaroa lunar period.
Why it matters
Matariki is the first New Zealand public holiday grounded in te ao Māori rather than a Christian or British civic calendar. It invites the whole country to learn star knowledge, honour the dead, share kai, and look forward together — without turning a living Indigenous observance into a generic “winter festival.”
How to celebrate
Look for local Matariki events, dawn viewings (weather allowing), or museum and library programmes. Share a meal that reflects gratitude for food and community. Learn the names of the Matariki stars from reputable Māori educators. Remember loved ones who have passed. Support Māori artists, storytellers, and environmental projects tied to the season. Follow tikanga guidance from event hosts.
Facts
- Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster
- The public holiday always falls on a Friday in June or July
- 2026 Matariki public holiday: Friday, 10 July (confirmed in NZ government holiday lists and legislation)
- Dates through 2052 are set in Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 schedule
- Themes commonly include remembrance, celebration of the present, and planning for the year ahead
Upcoming dates
- Friday, July 10, 2026
- Friday, June 25, 2027
- Friday, July 14, 2028
- Friday, July 6, 2029
- Friday, June 21, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Matariki in 2026?
Matariki in 2026 falls on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Is today Matariki?
No. Matariki in 2026 falls on Friday, July 10, 2026, not today.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori New Year, marked by the winter rising of the Matariki (Pleiades) star cluster. In New Zealand it is also a national public holiday.
Who sets the Matariki holiday date?
Dates were recommended by the Matariki Advisory Group to align with the maramataka and are fixed in New Zealand legislation (currently scheduled through 2052). The holiday is always observed on a Friday in June or July.
How do you celebrate Matariki?
Common ways include attending community events, sharing food, remembering those who have died, learning Matariki star knowledge from Māori sources, and spending time with whānau. Practices vary by iwi and community.
Is Matariki an official holiday?
Yes. Matariki is a national public holiday in New Zealand. It is separate from Waitangi Day and from fixed Christian calendar holidays.
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