Hawke's Bay Wine Country

Happy New Zealand new year!

Matariki celebrations in Te Matau-a-Māui

When the Pleiades star cluster – known as Matariki – appears in the New Zealand sky, it signals the start of a new year.

For Māori, the emergence of Matariki marks the passing of one year and the start of another. It’s a time to remember lost loved ones and celebrate new beginnings, as well as being a period of reflection and regeneration. In 2025, the public holiday is observed on Friday 20 June.

According to the most common Māori legend, when the sky father Ranginui and earth mother Papatūānuku were parted by their children, the god of wind became so enraged he tore out his eyes and hurled them at the heavens to create Matariki. Traditionally, Māori marked the appearance of the stars – and the start of their lunar calendar – by remembering those who had died, sowing seeds for crops and celebrating with feasts and the lighting of ritual fires. Spiritual experts known as tohunga interpreted the stars to predict the weather: clear, bright stars meant a warm, abundant season ahead. In modern New Zealand, Matariki is seen as a time to take stock and face the coming year with renewed vigour.

2025 celebrations

Information with thanks to Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated - full details at matariki.events

Wairoa Community Centre, Alexandra Park, Marine Parade

Thursday 5 June, 4.00pm-6.00pm, FREE entry
Whānau outdoor movie

Friday 6 June, 6.00pm-8.00pm, FREE entry
Kai, entertainment, remembrance, and fireworks

 

The Pond, Flaxmere Park, Henderson Road, Flaxmere

6.00pm-9.00pm, FREE entry
Float a waka lantern with a personal message of remembrance or healing. Witness hundreds of lanterns reflecting on the water. One free lantern per family. These are biodegradable. Kai trucks, and acoustic music

Napier War Memorial Centre, Marine Parade, Napier

9.00am-4.30pm, must register to attend at www.kahungunu.iwi.nz
14th annual summit

Russell Park, 10 River Terrace, Waipukurau

5.00pm-8.00pm, FREE entry
Russell Park will come alive as a place of connection, remembrance and renewal for all. Kai, entertainment, remembrance and fireworks.

546 Marine Parade, Napier (next to the National Aquarium)

6.00am-7.00am, FREE entry
Pre-dawn ceremony in three parts to observe the stars, call the names of those who passed and making a food offering to the Matariki star cluster in the form of steam rising to the skies.

Hawke's Bay Racecourse, Prospect Road, Hastings

2.00pm-8.00pm, FREE entry, day of national Matariki holiday
Kai, entertainment, remembrance and fireworks

546 Marine Parade, Napier (next to the National Aquarium)

6.00pm-8.00pm, FREE entry
Gather around the fires as a storyteller shares tales of old. Light fires as beacons of around the sweep of Te Matau-a-Māui. Includes Maimai Aroha - write a message of remembrance, reflection and gratitude on a lantern and launch into Manga Pacific – Te Toka Tu Moana fountain. One free lantern per family. These are biodegradable. 

Ātea a Rangi celestial compass, Waitangi Park, Highway 51, Napier

Every 30min from 6.00pm-8.30pm, $10 ticket entry
Learn about Te Whānau Marama - a Matariki sensory experience like no other. Only 70 tickets per show - tickets from matariki.events

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