Auckland lights up for Matariki with more than 100 events across the city
This year, Matariki will take place on July 10 but hundreds of events will take place across Tāmaki Makaurau as the Matariki constellation becomes visible.
This year, the theme is Matariki herenga waka – encouraging everyone to celebrate Matariki together. Here are some events happening in Auckland to mark the start of a new year.
Ngā Whetū o te Tau Hou
Ngā Whetū o te Tau Hou / The Stars of the New Year is a special immersive Stardome celebration of Matariki and the cluster of stars that form the constellation. Discover the stories and traditions behind the celebrations and how the Maramataka, Māori lunar calendar, works while travelling through the stars.
Runs until July 31. Te Whatu Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, Epsom
$13.50-$18.50 (price dependent on session)
Tūhono Light Path
Tūhono connects light installations across the city into the world’s longest indigenous art trail. With art pieces scattered between Elliott St and Queen St, through Britomart and down to Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park, the trail spans 2km, providing a new bright way to see the heart of Tāmaki.
Runs every night until mid-July. Elliot St to Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park, Auckland CBD
Free
Matariki Twilight Market
Two markets across two weekends celebrating Māori food, art, music and culture in the heart of Auckland’s CBD. The twilight markets will offer food trucks, live entertainment and many other stalls while giving you the chance to see the Matariki constellation at its peak visibility.
Friday, July 10, 4pm-9pm, and Saturday, July 25, 4pm-9pm. Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park, Auckland CBD
Free
Matariki Markets. Photo / Go Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
ARawhetū
A collection of 10 virtual sculptures, representing the nine stars of Matariki and Puanga, will tell the story of each star in an Augmented Reality art trail across the city, visible when connected to an app, with a QR code and instructions in Aotea Square, the trail’s starting point.
Runs until July 21. Aotea Square through to Myers Park, Auckland CBD
Free
Constellations
Written by British playwright Nick Payne and adapted through a Māori lens by Nī Dekkers-Reihana, who is also directing the production, Constellations tells a story of connection, curiosity, love – and now Matariki – in its New Zealand debut. This new adaptation puts a special Matariki twist on the celebrated international production.
Runs until July 19. Q Theatre, Queen St
Tickets $25-$75
SkyCity Matariki Night Markets
Discover a vibrant night market right under the Sky Tower with live performances, a mix of Māori and Pasifika food vendors and stalls celebrating other aspects of te ao Māori in the heart of the city.
July 10 and 11, 4pm-10pm. SkyCity
Free
29th June 2024 Celestial Matariki Market. Photo / Go Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Matariki ki Motat
Auckland’s Motat celebrates across two weeks of special events and activities for both adults and tamariki. In true Motat style, there will be hands-on science, technology, arts and crafts activities that are educational and fun.
Runs until July 19. Motat, Western Springs
$10-$19, children under 5 free
Matariki Taimoana
Head to the water for this Silo Park celebration with music, storytelling, food and family-friendly activities. It’s one of the best places to watch the Harbour Bridge as it lights up each night from 6pm just for Matariki.
July 11, from 12pm. Silo Park
Free
He Ara Hīkoi
A guided walking tour of all the installations and activations from Mahuhu-ki-te-rangi Park, outside Spark Arena, up to Aotea Square, brings the stories of Matariki to life across central Auckland.
Runs until July 19, varying times. Te Tōangaroa to Aotea Square, Auckland CBD
Auckland Philharmonia’s Waiata Anthems in Concert
The Auckland Philharmonia is celebrating Matariki with a showcase of music excellence in te reo Māori. The orchestra will perform songs from the 2019 album Waiata Anthems, with help from some of New Zealand’s best and brightest musicians, including Geneva AM, Jordyn with a Why and MOHI.
July 9, 7.30pm. Auckland Town Hall
Tickets $42-$107
Auckland Philharmonie. Photo / Sav Schulman
Hautapu ā-Motu
Thousands are expected to gather at dawn for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s Hautapu ceremony at Bastion Point. There will be karakia, aspirations for the new year ahead and a moment to honour those who have passed. This year’s event has the added honour of hosting Hautapu ā Motu, the National Hautapu Matariki celebrations.
July 10 from 5:30am. Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, Ōrākei
Free
ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.gov
Matariki Yoga in the Sky
Start te Mātahi o te Tau (the beginning of the year) off with the unforgettable experience of sunrise yoga in the clouds. Head up the Sky Tower, where the 360-degree views from 186 metres in the air will help you welcome the new year with reflection and a calm mind.
July 10 and 11, from 7am. Sky Tower
$40
Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki
Held at Ngā Hau e Whā Marae o Pukekohe and the historic Nathan Homestead, this will be a day full of celebration, with markets, kai, live entertainment.
July 10, 10am-3pm. Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Rd, Manurewa
Free
Matariki Ahunga Nui
A special day of community, creativity and fun for all, with crafts, kapa haka, music and dance performances, and more, all connecting back to the stars of the Matariki constellation.
July 10, 10am-5pm. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland CBD
Free
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Photo / Go Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Ngā Reo o te Rangi: Voices of the Stars
Part of Auckland Council’s 2026 Matariki Festival, this concert will combine waiata, kapa haka, mātauranga Māori and storytelling to honour te Mātahi o te Tau. With performances from Stan Walker, Troy Kingi and Maisey Rika, this is an event not to be missed.
July 10, 6.45pm. Auckland Town Hall
Tickets $71-$102
Are Atoms Alive?
A visual display connecting the depth of humanity and Earth to the shining stars of Matariki on seven cinema screens in the city’s Aotea Square, encouraging connection and reflection for the new year.
July 10-August 2. Aotea Square
Free
Mahuta Concert
Celebrating indigenous excellence and bringing together some of Aotearoa’s most exciting Māori artists for one special night. Curated by Majic Pāora, Mahuta creates a space for people to come together through the power of live music and performance.
July 18, 6pm. Te Paepae Theatre, New Zealand International Convention Centre
Tickets on sale soon
Rongoa Workshop
A free workshop on Rongoā, a traditional Māori healing system based in holistic practices, to reset for the new year ahead. Rongoā combines herbal and plant-based remedies with physical therapies like massage and spiritual healing to restore balance within the body and mind.
July 22, 12pm. 8 Mahuhu Crescent, CBD
Free, booking required
Find more Matariki events across Auckland at matarikifestival.org.nz
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