Auckland Council & Ngāti Tamaoho announce Matariki Festival 2024 line-up

Auckland Council and iwi partner Ngāti Tamaoho are pleased to announce the line-up of events for Matariki Festival 2024, 15 - 30 June.

The two week-long festival offers a programme of over 90 whānau-friendly events throughout Tāmaki Makaurau, many of which are free or low-cost, for Aucklanders and visitors to embrace the spirit of Matariki.

This year’s festival theme focuses on te whenua (land) and te taiao (environment) to remind us of our connection to our natural surroundings, Matariki and our responsibilities as kaitiaki (guardians).

Ngāti Tamaoho Trust CEO Matekino Marshall (Waikato) is looking forward to sharing their iwi’s unique traditions this Matariki season.

"Ngāti Tamaoho, in partnership with Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, look forward to hosting this year’s Matariki Festival with a range of events across the city,” he says.

“The events are designed to provide an opportunity for all Aucklanders to experience the joys of this time of year, and to gain a better understanding of our taiao and our connections to it, both physical and spiritual.”

22 June 2024 - Whakarewa Manu Tukutuku Kite Day is an opportunity for whānau and communities to come together and send messages of aroha into the sky. Enjoy the challenge of making a traditional kite or bring your own, and revel in the spectacle of high-flying kites in a fun-filled day for the whole whānau! Alongside the dazzling display, there will be plenty of kai to purchase, as well as Matariki-focused kōrero, music, kapa haka, and a special performance from music group Aro. Held at Ngā Hau e Whā o Pukekohe Marae from 11am – 3pm, 22 June.

22 June 2024 - MATA-FRIKI is a fun twilight event for the whānau to have a collective kanikani (dance) on a large-scale dancefloor. In recognition of the promise of new beginnings that comes with Matariki and te Tau Hou Māori (Māori New Year), we invite you to come and experience an elevated whakamana (movement for Joy) class with Māori contemporary dance artist Tiaki Kerei (Jack Gray). Join in the fun at

Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson, 5pm, 22 June and head to ceac.org.nz for more Matariki-themed events.

28 June - Te hui Ahurei o Matariki / Matariki Festival Day takes over Auckland Botanic Gardens for a full day of fun activities to celebrate the Matariki public holiday! Celebrate Māori creativity with taonga pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments), kairaranga (weavers), kaiwhakairo (carvers) and mirimiri (massage), alongside a mākete Māori (Māori market), info stalls, food trucks, a top line up of performances and a special tātai whakapapa symposium. Attend a rangahau (research session) to uncover tools to discover your own genealogy and learn how whakapapa informs all facets of life.

30 June - Matariki ki Papakura get ready to groove in this special free Matariki concert where music, culture and community come together to celebrate the Matariki season. Featuring an eclectic line-up of Māori and Pasifika artists including Katchafire, Savage, Annie Crummer, Rei and more - Matariki ki Papakura promises to be a feel-good party for all ages to attend. Close out the long weekend with dancing, kai and celebration at Matariki ki Papakura - on at Central Park Papakura, from 12 to 4pm, 30 June

June 27 - Matariki with Che Fu & The Kratez  Spend Matariki with the Auckland Philharmonia and one of Aotearoa’s coolest and best-known hip hop, R&B and reggae artists – Che Fu! A pioneer of hip hop and Pasifika music in Aotearoa, Che has more top ten songs than any individual in the country’s music history. Don’t miss the chance to hear Che Fu & The Kratez perform his classics ‘Fade Away’, ‘Misty Frequencies’, ‘Hold Tight’ and many others, reimagined with full symphonic styling and the power of a 70-piece orchestra. Get in quick – tickets can be booked at aucklandphil.nz

E kitea ai tētahi kaupapa i Te Taiopenga o Matariki e tū tata ana ki a koe, toro atu ki: matarikifestival.org.nz

To find a Matariki Festival event happening near you, go to matarikifestival.org.nz