Every year towns and cities throughout New Zealand host a range of events and activities based around Matariki. These range from art exhibitions, to festivals, to themed planetarium events. Each year Matariki grows a little stronger and it’s now become a recognised celebration in many parts of the country.
Like Matariki itself, these activities usually run over a whole month. To find out what Matariki events are happening in your area in 2023, you could check out your local council website, or contact your local Marae or Māori Trust.
Video courtesy: TiNY EYES
We’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of events happening all around New Zealand. So try the following sites if you live in one of the centres below.
Matariki events and activities around New Zealand – 2023
Whangarei
If you’re lucky enough to live in the stunning Whangarei, then check out the Arotahia Matariki Festival Facebook for event details.
Auckland
Check out the full Matariki Festival programme for Auckland.
Tauranga
Tauranga has a huge range of events including workshops, kite making, and early morning navigation, or hikoi tahi tours.
Waikato
Light it up in the Waikato, including the Te Ruru Light Festival and Contained Luminescence.
Rotorua
From parades to crafts, talks to talent quests, Rotorua is rocking this Matariki.
Hawkes Bay
There’s heaps happening out East with Kapa Haka at Flaxmere Park, and the Matariki Glow Show on in Napier and Gisborne this month.
Manawatu
Check out Matariki Puanga for events if you’re in Palmerston North.
And if you’re in and around Whanganui check out the Puanga Rising event.
Tararua/Wairarapa
If you live in the lovely Tararua district, you can celebrate Matariki at Pukaha. Enjoy a shared hangi for kai and take a hosted night walk starting with an introduction to Matariki.
If you’re in the Wairarapa, you might want to get along to the Winter Solstice event at Stonehenge-Aotearoa or the events on at Pukaha.
And Dannevirk hosts the Matariki Whanau festival.
Wellington
For those in Wellington, you can find all the events and activities happening in and around the region on the Wellington City Council’s Matariki Wellington site, including the amazing waterfront Sky Show.
Nelson
Check out the Shape Nelson site for a list of all the activities on in Nelson City this Matariki.
Christchurch
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora has a whole series of events lined up for Christchurch again this year.
Dunedin
The Dunedin Puaka Matariki festival is all go again this year!
Other locations
For all other locations you could try the Mānawatia a Matariki events website. They list lots of one-off events from around the country
If your town doesn’t feature above then check out our Fresh ideas for celebrating Matariki with your Family and grab some ideas for hosting your very own Matariki event at home!
