Matariki Resources: Explore and Celebrate the Māori New Year

Created: June 28, 2024 at 10:23 AM | Updated: May 19, 2026 | By NZ Navigator Trust

Matariki Explained

Matariki is an official national holiday in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and everyone can celebrate it. The 2026 Matariki holiday is on Friday 10 July.

Matariki Explained is a special half-hour documentary that outlines what Matariki is, why it is significant, and how we can celebrate.

(Featuring Rereata Makiha, Che Wilson, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi)

 

If you have questions about managing public holidays as an employer, this Employment New Zealand information will explain your responsibilities as an employer, along with this overview of Public Holidays and Anniversary dates.

Learn More About Matariki

Discover some great resources to support teaching and learning about Matariki and ideas for celebrating the beginning of the Māori New Year from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

The Wānanga hope these resources will help people understand more about Matariki and provide guidance for those eager to observe, commemorate, and celebrate at this special time.

The Resource Pack consolidates all of their Matariki resources into one easy downloadable package.

Download the Matariki Resource Pack

[scroll down the page to the download section]

Each Resource Pack contains:

  • Matariki Handbook
  • Matariki and Puanga Booklet
  • Te Iwa o Matariki Poster (English)
  • Te Iwa o Matariki Poster (Māori)
  • Matariki Whakapapa Tree Poster
  • Matariki and Puanga Poster
  • Matariki Puka Ngohe – Colouring & Activity Book
  • Gratitude Card
  • Planning Card
  • Match the Stars print and play game
  • Name the Stars print and play activity
  • Name the Stars Whakaaro print and play activity

Te Iwa o Matariki - The Nine Stars of Matariki Posters

Download Te Iwa o Matariki A1 Poster in English

Download Te Iwa o Matariki A1 Poster in Te Reo

More resources...

You'll find more great Matariki resources at matariki.com - guidance and promotional resources like screensavers, email signatures, social tiles, logo packs, and a Guide to celebrating Matariki.

The matariki.com FAQs page includes a list of Matariki calendar dates up to 2030. The dates shift each year to align with the maramataka (Māori stellar-lunar calendar) but will always fall on a Friday.