This coming Friday (June 24) is Aotearoa’s first official public holiday marking Matariki, and a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present and plan for the future.

People across Aotearoa will be coming together to reconnect with home and family. 

'Matariki' is the Māori name for the cluster of nine stars also known as the Pléiades. It rises in mid-winter and for Māori, it heralds the start of a new year.

Can you stargaze at your place? Familiarise yourself with how to spot Matariki in the night sky. PHOTO: Te Ara Encyclopaedia of New Zealand

There are a bunch of activities in Central so grab your coat, beanie, gloves and your whānau to make the most of this mid-winter celebration. Lots of events are focused around our tamariki and rangitahi, take place in the early evening, and involve lots of yummy kai.

• Matariki Tāpuapua at Dunstan High School – Wednesday June 22, 5.00 - 7.00pm. There will be student performances, the story of Matariki, art works on offer as well as a hangi and kumara soup to fill those tummies. You need to pre order if you want the hangi using this online form. 

• Cromwell College Matariki Night – Tuesday June 21, 5.30 - 7.00pm for school whānau. The kapa haka group will be performing  and student learning will be on display as well. 

• The Patearoa Matariki – Garden of Lights – Friday June 24, 5.00 - 9.00pm  The pub garden will be packed with lights of all styles and colours, there will be a free sausage sizzle for kids and free glow sticks. 

• Winterstellar exhibition in Alexandra - this exhibition of Astrophotography and Videography June 18 - August 28 at Central Stories. For more: https://winterstellar.com/winterstellar-exhibitions-2022/

• Matariki Arrowtown Lights – a three day FREE celebration and cultural event in Arrowtown. Check out the full line up online at arrowtown.com

• Matariki in Naseby – Friday June 24, 2.00pm. The hall opens with a karakia, kapa haka and korero. Following that are activities such as weaving and science sessions. A hāngi is on 5.30pm. Check out the programme here.

• Not up for an outing? There is a live national broadcast on Friday 24 June 6.00 -10.00 am on matariki.net.nz, TVNZ 1 and OnDemand, Whakaata Māori, RNZ, THREE, Prime, Stuff and Iwi Radio via Whare Kōrero. Hosted by Stacey Morrison and Mātai Smith, it includes live coverage of the festivities, beginning at dawn with a traditional Hautapu ceremony.  

• Teachers’ only day is being held for many local schools on Monday June 27, so why not bundle up, get out of bed early and try to spot the cluster of stars with tamariki - the best time is just before dawn around 5.30am. For instructions on how to find Matariki click here.

Are you celebrating Matariki in a unique way? What does Matariki mean to you? Let us know and send us your pictures or stories, email: [email protected]