Matariki 2025

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Mataraki Hunga Nui, Tāmaki Hunga Nui

"The many people of Matariki, the many people of Tāmaki"

The rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa is an important time in the Māori maramataka (lunar calendar) as it signifies the start of the Māori new year or ‘te mātahi o te tau’. For Māori, astronomy is interwoven into all facets of life. Our tupuna would observe the night sky, charting star and planet movements, the relationship of the stars and planets to the moon and sun, while also noting what was happening on the whenua (land) and in the moana (ocean), lakes, and awa (rivers).

Matariki has different names around the world. In Europe, it is called by its ancient Greek name Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. In Hawaiian it is
Makahiki, and in Japan it is Subaru, meaning gathered together. 

Matariki is a time for people to gather, to remember those who have passed, to celebrate the present and look to plan for the future. Guided by our theme "Matariki Hunga Nui, Tāmaki Hunga Nui", this year's Matariki is a celebration of our people, friends and whānau and the many relationships shared.

Keep scrolling to check out the 2025 Matariki event line up. Please join us to acknowledge and celebrate the Māori New Year. Nau mai, haere mai e te iwi.

Matariki 2025 Events

Join us for a splendour of special 2025 Matariki events. There is something for everyone. 

E rere ana ngā whakamānawa ki ngā kaitautoko. Ko te mihi o te ngākau ki a koutou: Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, Go Media, Ōrākei Local Board, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board, Inghams Chicken

Hautapu ki Takaparawhau

 

Nau mai e te mātahi o te tau

Watch the sun rise over Takaparawhau, and join us  for a special Hautapu ceremony to celebrate the start of the Māori New Year. A hautapu is a Māori ceremony consisting of a traditional earth oven (umu kohukohu whetū) and offering to the stars, which involves lighting a hāngī / umu (earth oven) before sunrise on the first day of Matariki, as well as karakia, karanga and waiata, to welcome the Māori new year. For most, this is also a time to remember, reflect and prepare for the upcoming year.

Paraire 20 Hune | Friday, 20th June 2025 - Takaparawhau, Bastion Point

5.30 gather for briefing

6am official start

7am ceremony complete, followed by breakfast (free)

This is a public and free event. The cultural ceremony will be led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, breakfast provided.
Please dress to the conditions, and keep warm. We recommend gumboots, multiple clothing layers and umbrella (if rain forecast).
Parking
Please park at Grammar Tec fields carpark, 27 Reihana Street, Ōrākei. Shuttle buses will be moving throughout the morning to pick up and drop off between Grammar Tec and Ōrākei Marae in a loop. We have added additional buses for this years transportation. The first bus will leave Grammar Tec at 4am and continue the 5 minute trip loop for pick ups and drop offs. Security will be based at Grammar Tec carpark during the event.

 

Te Iwa o Matariki

Matariki is a cluster of 9 whetū (stars). Each star has its own special characteristic which Māori honour and acknowledge.

PŌHUTUKAWA connects us to our loved ones that have passed on.

TUPUĀNUKU connects us to Papatūānuku (Earth) and determines the bounty of food the grows in the earth, like kumara.

TUPUĀRANGI is connected to birds and other elevated foods such as fruits and berries from trees.

WAITĪ is connected to freshwater and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.

WAITĀ is connected to sea water and all that is in that domain.

WAIPUNĀRANGI is connected to the rain that we experience throughout the year.

URURANGI connects us to the different winds and determines the nature of these winds.

HIWA-I-TE-RANGI is connected to our dreams and aspirations.

MATARIKI is connected to the health and wellbeing of people and the taiao we live in.

Matariki i roto i ngā tau

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