Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to Host National Matariki Hautapu in Tāmaki Makaurau

Auckland’s city centre is being transformed into a hub of Māori culture and mātauranga as Tāmaki Makaurau prepares to host the national Matariki hautapu in 2026. The ceremony, which is to be held at Takaparawhau, will be hosted by local mana whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Ataahua Papa, the creative director for Matariki ki te Manawa, told RNZ on 27 June 2026 that the increasing popularity of the mid-winter celebrations shows a growing desire for all New Zealanders to engage with te ao Māori. Having worked on Matariki kaupapa for two decades, Papa noted that the introduction of the public holiday has allowed non-Māori to be welcomed into Māori spaces to grow their understanding and māramatanga. The 2026 theme, Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Herenga Tāngata, highlights the region's identity as a gathering place for people and cultures. Papa explained to RNZ that because Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is hosting the national event, this specific local kōrero is now being applied to a national setting. She believes that kotahitanga, or unity, is essential in the current climate, stating that if something is good for Māori, it is good for the whole of Aotearoa. The month-long Matariki ki te Manawa programme, which runs from 15 June until 21 July, includes a series of art installations and cultural experiences across the city. This year features the return of Tūrama on Queen Street and ARawhetū, an augmented reality star trail. A new waterfront light trail titled Tūhono, led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and a musical showcase at the Auckland Town Hall titled Ngā Reo o te Rangi: Voices of the Stars, also form part of the celebrations. Papa observed that instead of organisers having to encourage attendance, whānau and schools are now actively seeking out karakia and events to attend themselves.