This Matariki will be a special one, marking the first time the Māori New Year has been recognised as an official public holiday in New Zealand.
And while we'll all appreciate having the day off on Friday, the celebrations will go on much longer than that one day, with events being held in the weeks leading up to and after the holiday.
Here are the events across the country for the inaugural Matariki public holiday.
Northland
Kiwis in the Bay of Islands can enjoy a special Matariki public training session with the All Blacks on Friday, June 24.
Fans are invited along to watch the session in the morning at 9.30 am at the Kerikeri Rugby Club.
The team will arrive in Kerikeri on Wednesday and as well as training they will visit Waitangi.
More details can be found here.
For less sports-inclined locals, the Bay of Islands/Pēwhairangi Matariki Festival is running from June 17 to July 31.
There is a selection of events on offer including free and ticketed options.
Matariki-inspired feasts, artisan markets, music, family fun, and some of the best star-gazing opportunities in the land are all on offer.
More details can be found here.
Auckland
Matariki Festival will be returning this year, bringing with it an exciting line-up of more than 80 events across the region that will run from June 21 to July 16.
Some of the highlights include free sessions at Stardome every evening until June 25 and an online story and singalong event on Friday.
You can see all the events here.
The Sky Tower will also light up to mark the new holiday from June 21 to 29. The tower will be lit up orange to acknowledge the rising of the Matariki sky, it will then change to blue and purple for the viewing of the Matariki constellation, and finish with yellow-orange to mirror a sunset.
On the day there will also be "a time for remembrance, celebration and looking to the future" event on Takutai Lane in Britomart.
The event in the CBD features a rebuild of a Māori village, reminiscent of an old Pā, and activities to learn about traditional practices; toi Māori (Māori art), rongoā (traditional healing) and te reo Māori.
There will also be crafts, performances, visual arts and kai vendors.
More details can be found here.
Then on Saturday head along to Takaparawhau/Bastion Point for Manu Aute Kite Day, hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Communities are also invited to watch and fly kites, and participate in other programmed activities. Kites of all shapes and sizes will be seen filling the skies.
More details can be found here.
In west Auckland, a street party will be held in Henderson to celebrate the holiday on Thursday.
The free event will run from 5pm to 8:30pm on Catherine street and will include live music and kai vendors.
Tauranga
Tauranga is getting its own Matariki festival which will run until Thursday at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
There will be a series of workshops including Maramataka Māori, The Star Compass, StarDome Education, Land Rigs, Knots and Lashes, Native Manu with the Department of Conservation and more. Registrations apply, with a maximum limit of 32 students per group.
Events will continue into the weekend with an early morning celebration on Friday followed by a community day.
Full details about all the events planned can be found here.
Hamilton
A street arts festival will be on offer for Hamilton locals with free events on offer for the entire family. The Boon After Dark festival will run until July 31. Full details can be found here.
Also on offer is the Matariki Ki Waikato 2022 festival which is running until Sunday, July 17. The festival has over 100 events including matauranga Maaori, arts, culture, kai, workshops, theatre, music, dance, fashion, tours, talks, concerts, and special Matariki Market days.
More details can be found here.
Rotorua
An umu kohukohu whetū is being held on the shore of Lake Rotorua to celebrate the public holiday.
Locals, visitors, and the whole whānau are invited to attend the city’s inaugural Matariki civic ceremony at Motutara Point (Sulphur Point). The event will provide people an opportunity to participate in an umu kohukohu whetū ceremony - a traditional way Māori exercised reciprocity with the atua and stars.
More details can be found here.
New Plymouth
A festival of lights is on offer in New Plymouth to coincide with the public holiday. The festival will take place from June 23 to 26 with a path illuminated from the Huatoki Plaza to the Coastal walkway. Live performances, light, and kai will all be available.
More details can be found here.
Waitomo
A Matariki festival will be taking place from June 24 to July 3 in and around the famous Waitomo glowworm caves.
The event will include Māori immersion tours and traditional medicine workshops.
More details can be found here.
Wellington
The capital is getting the full public holiday treatment with a fireworks show lighting up the sky at 7:15pm on Friday.
The free event will take place on the Wellington waterfront with food trucks on site for the display.
More details can be found here.
Te Papa will also be celebrating the holiday with several events on offer. More details can be found here.
More events for the capital can be found here.
Nelson
Nelson will celebrate its first Matariki public holiday with a community festival on Friday from 5pm to 8pm. The festival will include live performances, including one from special guest Ria Hall (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato).
More details can be found here.
Christchurch
Ōtautahi's Tīrama Mai light festival is returning to the garden city this year. The event is running until July 9 and will include a Kapa Haka Showcase, The Lion King Reo Māori movie, Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū dance film by Daniel Belton, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi exhibition f, Pōhutakawa - a sound and movement experience, th'Orchard Dreamers - Chapter 2, a stone hammering wānanga, an Open Artist Studio and much more.
More details can be found here.
Arrowtown
A lights festival will take place in Arrowtown from June 24 to 26.
Light installations and projections will line the historic main street along with performances.
More details can be found here.
Dunedin
A water and light show will take place on Steamer Basin from June 24 to 26 to celebrate the public holiday.
More details can be found here.
The Dunedin Puaka Matariki Festival is also on offer from June 21 to July 3.
More details can be found here.
Invercargill
A Murihiku Matariki Festival will take place in Queens Park from June 24 to 28. The festival will have live performances on Friday and Saturday, lots of kai and light shows.
More details can be found here.
