Tāmaki Makaurau Set to Host National Matariki Celebrations as Interest in Te Ao Māori Grows

Tāmaki Makaurau has become the focal point for national Matariki celebrations this year as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei prepares to host the national hautapu at Takaparawhau. The event comes amid a significant surge in public engagement with te ao Māori, according to organizers who have witnessed the festival's evolution over two decades. Ataahua Papa, the creative director for Matariki ki te Manawa, told RNZ on 27 June 2026 that the growing popularity of the lunar new year reflects a deepening desire among all New Zealanders to engage with Māori culture, language, and mātauranga. Ms. Papa, who has worked on Matariki kaupapa for 20 years, noted that the introduction of the public holiday has further encouraged non-Māori to participate in traditional ceremonies and seek out cultural understanding. This year’s theme, Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Herenga Tāngata, emphasizes Auckland’s role as a gathering place for diverse cultures. Ms. Papa stated that by bringing the national hautapu to Tāmaki Makaurau, the local kōrero of the region is being shared on a national stage. She believes that fostering kotahitanga, or unity, through these shared experiences is essential for the community's future. The celebrations in the city centre began on 15 June and are scheduled to run until 21 July. The programme, titled Matariki ki te Manawa, features several major installations including ‘Tūrama’ on Queen Street, which highlights the history of the Waihorotiu stream. New additions include ‘Tūhono’, a light trail on the waterfront led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and ‘ARawhetū’, an augmented reality star trail. The Auckland Town Hall will also host ‘Ngā Reo o te Rangi: Voices of the Stars’, showcasing prominent local kaiwaiata.