Matariki, also known as Maori new year, is a public holiday in New Zealand, and it is observed on a Friday between June and July every year. In the Maori language, Matariki is the name of the Pleiades star cluster, which rises mid-winter and marks the start of the Maori new year.
Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the past year and to celebrate the harvest of crops, fish, and birds. The celebration is across New Zealand with food, singing, and dancing.
2022 is the first year to celebrate Matariki Day as a public holiday on June 24. Matariki Day changes each year following the Māori lunar calendar. However, the Matariki advisory group recommended the holiday to tie to a long weekend. As a result, the Matariki holiday will always fall on a Friday between June and July every year.
The following is the list of Matariki Day from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Matariki Day | Jun 24, 2022 | Friday |
| Matariki Day | Jul 14, 2023 | Friday |
| Matariki Day | Jun 28, 2024 | Friday |
| Matariki Day | Jun 20, 2025 | Friday |
| Matariki Day | Jul 10, 2026 | Friday |
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