Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars visible in our night sky at a specific time of the year. In June/July, Matariki will re-appear in the dawn sky, this cluster of stars is also known as the Pleiades in Greek mythology. Under the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, the reappearance of Matariki in the mid-winter night sky heralds the start of a New Year. 

In 2022, a Matariki public holiday will be our first public holiday that recognises Te Ao Māori (the Māori world). The first public holiday to celebrate Matariki will be on Friday 24 June 2022. Mātauranga Māori is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday