"He kura huna nō te rangi — A hidden treasure from the heavens."
In 2026, the rising of Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year during the lunar month of Pipiri.
The primary ritual involving the offering of food to the stars. Best observed between July 7th and 9th at dawn.
A time to recite lineages and connect with the star Pōhutukawa to remember those who passed in 2025.
The sharing of knowledge. 2026 focus is on the star Ururangi and the changing nature of our atmosphere.
The theme for 2026 is Matariki Herenga Waka — the gathering of many canoes. This focus emphasizes collective unity and our shared stewardship of the environment.
Highlighting social cohesion and community collaboration.
Examining our impact on the atmosphere and environment.
Unity • Stewardship • Identity
"Herenga Waka,
Herenga Tangata"
Where canoes are gathered, people are bound together.
In a fast-paced digital world, Matariki offers a vital "pause point." It is more than a public holiday; it is a framework for modern living, encouraging us to look back at our heritage, reset our present, and plant seeds for the future.
A time to reconnect with roots. Families use this period to share stories of those who have passed and to strengthen the bonds of the living through whanaungatanga.
Matariki shifts the focus from "output" to "outlook." Modern organizations use it for collective planning, celebrating team achievements, and acknowledging our environment.
Acting as a "winter reset," it encourages self-reflection and mental clarity. It’s an opportunity to let go of stresses and set intentions for balance.
Beyond the individual, it sparks community service. Many use the time for mahinga kai (food gathering) or local planting projects to restore the land.
"In modern Aotearoa, Matariki has evolved into a national moment of mindfulness—reminding us that to move forward with purpose, we must first find peace in our past."
Aotearoa is a land of diverse landscapes. From the rugged peaks of the Southern Alps to the deep river valleys of the Whanganui, our view of the heavens is shaped by where we stand. This diversity birthed two primary traditions for the Māori New Year: Matariki and Puanga.
In the west and far north, the Matariki cluster sits low on the horizon, often obscured by the great mountains (Maunga) or the heavy coastal mist of the winter solstice.
For Iwi like Taranaki, Whanganui, Te Whakatōhea, and Te Tai Tokerau, Puanga (Rigel) is the principal star. It sits much higher in the sky and is the brightest star in the Orion constellation, making it visible even when atmospheric conditions are poor.
The West Coast Horizon
Observing the heavens from the shadows of Taranaki Maunga requires looking for the brightest light.
In Māori navigation and timekeeping, stars rarely act alone. Puanga is often called Puanga-nui-a-te-rangi (Great Puanga of the Heavens). Because it rises earlier and higher than Matariki, it serves as a "warning" or "lead" star.
Traditions for Puanga mirror those of Matariki but with a distinct regional flavor. In the Whanganui region, the focus is heavily on the Awa (River).
The time for teaching and passing down tribal history.
Paying respect to those who have passed since the last rising.
Understanding the astronomical and cultural specifics of both beacons.
| Scientific & Cultural Marker | Matariki (Pleiades) | Puanga (Rigel) |
|---|---|---|
| Star Classification | Open cluster of B-type stars (approx. 1,000 stars) | Triple star system; primary is a Blue Supergiant |
| Constellation | Taurus (The Bull) | Orion (The Hunter) |
| Spiritual Essence | The Mother and her daughters; reflection | The High Priest; navigator and provider |
| Traditional Use | Planting calendars and weather patterns | Harvesting seafood and forest birds |
| Timing | Rising in late June or early July | Rises slightly earlier in the winter sky |
A ritual of remembrance and connection, honoring the environment and looking forward to the promise of a new year through the earth and the stars.
Gathering foods that represent the major environmental domains of Aotearoa: Tupu-ā-nuku (garden), Tupu-ā-rangi (forest), Waitī (fresh water), and Waitā (sea).
THE DOMAINS
Cooking offerings in a sacred earth oven (umu). Participants engage in Te Maumaharatanga, remembering those who have passed and calling their names to the stars.
COOKING METHODS
As the clusters rise, the oven is opened. The rising steam (Te Hau) carries the essence of the food to feed the stars while Tohunga recite sacred karakia.
VIEW KARAKIA
After the sacred ceremony, the community shares the physical food. This act of Whakanoa brings people back to the common world in a state of unity and joy.
HOST A FEAST
The Arapiki (rising period) is the 8-day window when Matariki reappears. Use this schedule to plan your hautapu ceremonies and community dawn gatherings.
The pre-dawn Arapiki horizon.
Optimal viewing: 6:00 AM – 6:30 AM. Public holiday: Friday, July 10th. Face the Northeast horizon 30 mins before dawn.
Each star in the Matariki cluster governs a specific domain of the environment. Their clarity during the 2026 rising serves as a traditional forecast for the year ahead.
The Mother & Wellbeing
Observational data suggests high visibility, signaling a year of community resilience and collective health.
Food from the Soil
Current moisture patterns indicate a strong harvest year for kumara and ground-grown crops.
Food from the Sky
Forest health indicators suggest a prosperous year for native bird populations and tree-fruit yields.
Freshwater Ecosystems
Water table levels are predicted to stabilize, benefiting freshwater species like Inanga and Tuna.
The Ocean & Saltwater
Marine thermal trends for 2026 point toward increased biodiversity in coastal kaimoana beds.
Rain and Atmosphere
Expect moderate rainfall patterns, crucial for maintaining balanced hydration in wetlands.
The Winds
A shift in prevailing westerlies suggests a milder winter period for most of Aotearoa in 2026.
Remembering the Dead
2026 ceremonies will focus on digital ancestry preservation and storytelling.
Aspiring for the Future
Planning for sustainable growth is the 2026 focus for this star of wishes and prosperity.
Matariki is the time when the star Pōhutukawa connects the living to those who have passed.
During the pre-dawn rising, tradition dictates a moment of profound silence followed by the vocalization of names to guide spirits to the stars.
"You have now become a star." A powerful acknowledgment of transition, celebrating the legacy left behind by those we love.
Create a lasting tribute for your loved ones now. Quickly search through our community’s digital memorials. Find a space to share photos, stories, and more, all seeking to keep their beautiful legacy alive.
Whakamahara
Prepare a list of those you wish to honor as the first light touches the earth.
Pūkōrero
Identify a single, guiding lesson they left behind that you will champion this year.
Aromatawai
How does their life force and legacy continue to shape your current path?
Observation 2026
From Shakespear Regional Park to Aotea, discover the darkest skies for viewing the cluster this winter.
Ready to teach? Access all Puanga and Matariki lesson plans now. Quickly search through our community of curated educator resources. Find classroom activities, worksheets, and more, all seeking to inspire the next generation.
Explore a curated list of hautapu ceremonies, light shows, and community festivals across Aotearoa.
Authorized cultural guidance for 2026. Explore common questions regarding the timing, traditions, and significance of the Māori New Year.
2026 Cultural Guidance: Honor the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future.
Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster. Its rising in mid-winter marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. It is celebrated to acknowledge the end of the harvest, to remember ancestors who have passed, and to plan for the year ahead with family and community.
The name "Matariki" is an abbreviation of Ngā Mata a te Ariki Tāwhirimātea (The Eyes of the God Tāwhirimātea). It is also commonly translated as "tiny eyes" or "eyes of the god," symbolizing the stars watching over the land and its people.
The most appropriate way to greet someone is "Mānawatia a Matariki", which means "Celebrate Matariki." You can also say "Ngā mihi o te tau hou" for "Happy New Year."
1. Astronomical Indicator: It is one of the closest star clusters to Earth and is visible to the naked eye.
2. Three Pillars: The celebration is built on Remembrance (the past), Celebrating (the present), and Looking Forward (the future).
3. The Nine Stars: While a large cluster, Māori traditions usually identify nine specific stars, each with a unique domain.
4. Variable Dates: The holiday date changes annually based on the Maramataka (lunar calendar).
5. National Recognition: Since 2022, Matariki has been an official public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In 2026, Matariki is expected to rise in the pre-dawn sky between late June and early July. The peak period of observation and the public holiday is Friday, July 10, 2026.
The 2026 theme, Matariki Herenga Waka, means "The Gathering of Many Canoes." It emphasizes social cohesion and the tethering of diverse groups together for a collective journey forward.
Matariki is a secular and cultural observance. While it involves spiritual elements of connection and remembrance, it is not tied to any specific religion and is open to all.
Many Iwi, particularly on the West Coast or in deep valleys, look to Puanga (Rigel). While a different star, it serves the same purpose as the harbinger of the New Year for those regions.
Tohunga (experts) look at the brightness and clarity of the stars. Clear, bright stars signal a warm, productive season (a good harvest). If they appear hazy or shimmering, it warns of a cold, challenging winter or a poor growing season ahead.
