'Always a Friday': Matariki public holiday dates for next 30 years announced

Name: Focus: Auckland Matariki Festival to view the first appearance of the Matariki stars
Uploaded: 2020-07-15T09:59:31+12:00
Duration: 60 s
Description: Auckland Council to invite the public as part of their Matariki Festival to view the first appearance of the Matariki stars. Video / Michael Craig

By Julia Gabel

Multimedia Journalist·NZ Herald·

1 Jul, 2021 05:00 PM3 mins to read

Auckland Council to invite the public as part of their Matariki Festival to view the first appearance of the Matariki stars. Video / Michael Craig

The Government has released the dates for the Matariki public holiday for the next 30 years.

Making Matariki a public holiday was one of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's pre-election promises with the first date announced at Waitangi this year as June 24, 2022.

The calendar date for the Matariki public holiday would shift each year to align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) and would always be on a Friday, Ministers Peeni Henare and Michael Wood said in a joint statement.

Announcing the holiday dates for the next three decades would give communities and businesses certainty, the ministers said.

Henare said Matariki was a uniquely New Zealand public holiday and the first that recognised Te Ao Māori.

Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades and refers to a cluster of stars that rise in mid-winter, marking the start of the Māori New Year.

Acting Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Peeni Henare said the Matariki public holiday was the first that recognised te ao Māori. Photo / Mark Mitchell

It is celebrated differently throughout Aotearoa among ngā iwi Māori, traditionally a time for reflection, ceremonies, and events that welcome a promise of the new year.

Some iwi name this time of year Puanga, after a bright star that is above and to the right of the Matariki constellation.

"Mātauranga Māori has been at the heart of decision making on the new public holiday," Henare said.

"The Matariki Advisory Group, recognised experts in Te Ao Māori and the mātauranga associated with Matariki and the Maramataka, have led this process, providing advice and engaging with communities across Aotearoa."

The advisory group included chairman Professor Rangiānehu Matamua, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Rereata Makiha, Victoria Campbell, Dr Pauline Harris, Dr Ruakere Hond and Jack Thatcher.

"We are grateful for their guidance, which is helping ensure Te Ao Māori is embedded within the day."