Matariki public holiday dates for next 30 years announced

The Government has today released the dates for the Matariki public holiday for the next 30 years.

The calendar date for the new public holiday will move around to fit in with the rising of Matariki - a cluster of stars that rises mid-year and marks the Māori New Year.

Ministers Peeni Henare and Michael Wood said in a joint statement today that it will always be on a Friday.

Matariki marks the rising of the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades. It usually rises in late May or early June. In Māori tradition, it is seen as a time of renewal.

It is celebrated differently throughout Aotearoa among ngā iwi Māori, traditionally a time for reflection, ceremonies, and events that welcome a promise of the new year.

Some iwi name this time of year Puanga, after a bright star that is above and to the right of the Matariki constellation.

Henare said Matariki was a uniquely New Zealand public holiday and the first that recognised Te Ao Māori.

It is the first new public holiday in New Zealand in almost 50 years and the 12th public holiday of the year.

Matariki Holiday Dates:

• 2022 - June 24
• 2023 - July 14
• 2024 - June 28
• 2025 - June 20
• 2026 - July 10
• 2027 - June 25
• 2028 - July 14
• 2029 - July 6
• 2030 - June 21
• 2031 - July 11
• 2032 - July 2
• 2033 - June 24
• 2034 - July 7
• 2035 - June 29
• 2036 - July 18
• 2037 - July 10
• 2038 - June 25
• 2039 - July 15
• 2040 - July 6
• 2041 - July 19
• 2042 - July 11
• 2043 - July 3
• 2044 - June 24
• 2045 - July 7
• 2046 - June 29
• 2047 - July 19
• 2048 - July 3
• 2049 - June 25
• 2050 - July 15
• 2051 - June 30
• 2052 - June 21