Matariki is a time of remembrance and renewal. It’s a moment in the year when we come together to honour those who have passed while also looking ahead to the future.
For Te Awanui Ward Councillor, Hēmi Rolleston, Matariki is about reflection and legacy, "Honouring those now with Pohutukawa who guide me still, while reminding me that every choice I make shapes the legacy I will leave for our mokopuna. E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea.”
Spanning Tauranga Moana and the Western Bay of Plenty, the event series includes live kapahaka performances, toi Māori exhibitions, workshops, storytelling and whānau-friendly activities, creating opportunities for people to come together, learn, share and celebrate the season in a way that is meaningful for them.
This year, our region embraces Ururangi as the guiding theme. Ururangi, one of the nine stars within the Matariki cluster, is closely linked to the winds and is said to predict their movements, reflected in its position as the highest star.
As master celestial navigator Jack Thatcher, renowned for his expertise in the traditional Māori lunar calendar, explains, "Ururangi is mainly about the winds - the unseen forces that move us, test us, and carry us forward.
"As we gather for Matariki this year, we remember that our tūpuna never feared the winds, but they learned to read them. And that's the lesson for us all: to move with purpose, stay grounded in who we are, and trust the pathways laid before us.
This regional theme sits alongside the national focus for Matariki this year: Matariki Herenga Waka - For Everyone. It is a reminder that this season is shared by all and reflects the connections that bring us together.
More than 30 events will be held across the region throughout the month. Local highlights include:
Matariki for Tamariki
When: Tuesday, 30 June | 6pm
Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre
Baycourt and the New Zealand Dance Company present Matariki for Tamariki, inviting tamariki and their whānau to explore the stories of Matariki through dance, music and storytelling. Created by acclaimed Aotearoa artist Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa), the show brings the nine whetū of the constellation to life in a fun and engaging way. It’s a chance for families to come together, reflect and celebrate the Māori New Year.
matARiki Sculpture Trail
When: Wednesday, 17 June – Saturday, 18 July
Where: Masonic Park & Wharf Street, Tauranga and Te Papa o Ngā Manu Porotakataka, Mount Maunganui Presented by Te Tuhi Māreikura Trust and curated by Te Tauranga Toi, the matARiki Sculpture Trail returns as an innovative augmented reality exhibition celebrating the rising of Matariki through this year’s theme, Ururangi: Gateway to the Stars. The trail explores the energy and influence of Ururangi, a star within the Matariki star cluster associated with winds, movement, and transformation – symbolising the pathways that carry us forward. The exhibition features digital artworks by leading Māori artists, transforming public spaces into interactive celestial galleries experienced through your smartphone or tablet.
Matariki Whānau Day
When: Saturday, 4 July | 10.30am – 3pm
Where: Te Ao Mārama, Tauranga Library
Celebrate the rising of Matariki with a vibrant day of connection, creativity and remembrance. Bring your whānau along for a day filled with hands-on activities and rich cultural experiences. Try your hand at rāranga (weaving), create your own contemporary mini tukutuku panel, shape a clay taonga, join our history hunt, and learn the basics of poi. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of taonga pūoro and uplifting waiata shared throughout the day.
Celebrate Matariki: Kapa Haka & Public Talk
When: Tuesday, 7 July | 12 – 12.30pm and 12.30 – 1.30pm
Where: Wahīrere, Red Square and University of Waikato, Tauranga Campus, 101 Durham Street
A vibrant kapa haka performance by Te Tohu Paetahi students from the University of Waikato. Followed by a free public lecture on Matariki and Hautapu, presented by Associate Professor Ngairo Eruera.
Matariki Light up the Waterways: Te Ara ō Wairākei 2026
When: Friday, 10 July | 3 – 7.30pm
Where: Te Ara ō Wairākei, Pāpāmoa Plaza, 7 Gravatt Road, Pāpāmoa
Matariki: Light Up the Waterways is a free community event celebrating the stories, traditions and history of Matariki. As night falls, the Pāpāmoa waterways will come alive with light, creating an unforgettable experience for whānau and friends to enjoy together.
Matariki Maumaharatanga
When: Friday, 10 July 2026, 6:30am
Where: Hopukiore Mount Drury
The Matariki Maumaharatanga ceremony offers a space for the Tauranga Moana community to gather in the early hours of the morning, to call the names of loved ones who have passed away, and to acknowledge them as we welcome the rising of Matariki. This shared moment of remembrance allows whānau to stand together in support of one another. This year, the ceremony carries particular significance for our community following the devastating landslides on Mauao and Welcome Bay in January.
Nau mai, come and explore what’s on and plan your own Matariki experience, visit mymatariki.co.nz for the full programme of events.
Matariki Te Tauranga o ngā Waka is proudly brought to you by Tuhi Mareikura Trust and Te Puna i Rangiriri Trust.