"[But now] more people are interested in it and there are more events to support that."
Ms Nicholls believed the extra interest was a result of more people understanding the importance of Maori heritage in New Zealand culture.
"As it becomes taught in schools as a general curriculum, both cultures are becoming more aware and coming along [to these events]," she said.
"This is probably about the fifth year the museum has done a Matariki."
Event storyteller Whare Kahika Clarke believed the event was an opportunity to celebrate Maori culture and pass on history.
"This Matariki is important because it educates children about our Maori ancestors.
"The kids enjoy these days out."
Matariki is the Maori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades.
The group of stars appears before dawn in late May or early June and traditionally signals the start of the Maori New Year.
Aside from bringing families together for reflection on past and future, Matariki was a time to determine the season's crops.
It is believed brighter stars meant warmer seasons and a more productive crop.
"The stars were a sign of when times were right to go fishing and [do] gardening, all those sorts of things," Mr Clarke said.
On Friday night an "All Stars Parade" will celebrate the Maori New Year.
Beginning at the Arts Village, the lantern parade will walk through the city centre before finishing at the Village Green for fireworks and music.
Matariki is due to begin on June 25.
- Matthew Rosenberg is an AUT journalism student.
