Source: New Zealand Labour Party
We’re proud to have delivered on our election commitment to establish a public holiday to celebrate Matariki. For the first time this year, New Zealanders will have the chance to enjoy a mid-winter holiday that is uniquely our own.
Mānawatia a Matariki
Matariki heralds the start of the Māori New Year and has increasingly become a time of celebration not just for Māori, but for many people in across New Zealand. By making Matariki a public holiday, we’re ensuring that everyone can enjoy this special time with friends and family.
Recognising Matariki with a public holiday is another step forward for our country, and one we’re proud to have taken as New Zealand continues to weave together different cultures to create our unique national identity.
This is an exciting time for New Zealand, with children around the country learning about the Māori new year – the stars, the night sky—and preparing for a day with family and friends, celebrating what makes us unique.
The new Matariki holiday will also provide a real a real boost to businesses, especially our tourism and hospitality sectors, with lots of families planning mid-winter holidays. Alongside New Zealand’s reputation for manaakitanga and being a beautiful place to visit, te ao Māori is another drawcard for international guests too, as it’s unique to Aotearoa.
We believe Matariki is another great opportunity for us to showcase our history and culture to the world. It’s a distinctly New Zealand moment, and it makes for a distinctly New Zealand holiday where we can come together to pause, reflect and look to the future.
Across Aotearoa, there’s a range of events happening to help our communities celebrate. Some of these can be found here: https://www.matariki.net.nz/events. Kiwis around the world can also take part, with over 20 embassies marking the day, with events happening in places like New York, Dublin, Canberra, and Manilla.
Many New Zealanders already have Matariki traditions, but now everyone has an opportunity to learn about the Maōri New Year and create their own special traditions.
Wherever you are, we hope you and your loved ones get a chance to come together and enjoy New Zealand’s first Matariki public holiday.
Mānawatia a Matariki.
To celebrate, we’ve put together a quiz to test how much you know about Matariki and mātauranga Māori. Click here to show off your knowledge or learning something new… then challenge your whānau to do better.
Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
