The Matariki public holiday in New Zealand – Friday, 10 July 2026.
Matariki is the name of the brightest star in the Matariki star cluster, which rises in early July and Mid-Winter. She is the mother, and the rest of the stars in the cluster are her children.
Matariki signifies health and well-being. If the cluster and the Matariki star is bright and high in the sky, it is a signal of wellbeing, peace, and good luck for observers.
Matariki is a public holiday in Aotearoa for the fifth year. So, we all enjoy the Matariki holiday together. Matariki is a time for remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future.
As you walk through the night, you will see the darkness. This darkness helps us see Matariki and connect with te taiao (the environment) through the Whetū (stars).
While you walk, use your other senses and notice the tohu (signs) of Matariki without using your eyes.
Stars are traditionally linked to planting, navigation, farming and hunting. Let’s learn what the whetū are in the Matariki Star Cluster.
Tupuānuku
Tupu or tipu means “to grow,” and nuku is shortened from Papatuanuku or earth.
Cold winter weather helps plants grow strong roots. Connecting us to Tupuānuku, the whetū is linked to food that grows in the soil.
Tupuārangi
The winds dance through the trees of the ngahere (forest).
The singing of the birds (manu) echoes in the darkness as they find food and shelter.
Those tohu connect us to Tupuārangi, linked to food from the trees and the forest canopy such as berries and fruits. Traditionally kererū (NZ pigeon) were harvested around this time.
Hiwa-i-te-rangi
Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the youngest whetū linked to hopes, dreams, and wishes for the year ahead.
So, sending our hopes and dreams to her helps our aspirations grow into reality.
Pōhutukawa
Pōhutukawa is the star of remembrance. She is the eldest sibling of the children of Matariki.
She helps guide those who have passed away into the next realm. We need to remember people who have passed away.
Waipuna-ā-rangi
Focus for a moment and feel the air on your skin. Is it dry, cold, wet, or is it mist, fog forming? These tohu connect us to Waipuna-ā-rangi, the whetū linked to water that pools in the sky to form mist, fog, or rain. Expert sky observers look to Waipuna-ā-rangi to predict how much rain we can expect in the coming season.
Waitā
When the sea is rough, seabirds come inland to find shelter and food. They bring nutrients from the moana (ocean) to the maunga. Can you hear tohu that the sea might be calm or rough?
These signs connect us to Waitā, the whetū linked to the ocean.
Waitī
Take a deep breath and smell the dampness or freshness of the soil.
Rain flows down the maunga (mountain), filling underground springs and feeding plants.
These signs connect us to Waitī, the whetū linked to fresh water and the food that comes from the rivers and streams.
Ururangi
The whetū Ururangi is connected to winds. Winter winds clear the skies so we can see Matariki. Uru means west wind or north-west wind, and rangi is the sky father. So, Ururangi translates to “the winds of the sky”.
Priyanthi Opatha – Auckland
