What Day Is Matariki 2027?
Matariki 2027 falls on Friday 25 June 2027. It is an official New Zealand public holiday, creating a three-day long weekend from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June. The date moves each year because the holiday follows the Māori lunar calendar - it is observed on the Friday closest to the Tangaroa lunar phase after the mid-winter rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades).
Matariki is the Māori New Year - one of New Zealand's most significant cultural observances and, since 2022, an official public holiday. It is a time for three things: remembering those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki, celebrating the present with family (whānau) and community, and looking ahead to the future with hope and intention. Traditional observances include stargazing to identify the cluster, preparing feasts (hākari), earth oven cooking (umu), and community gatherings. For more on the meaning and traditions of Matariki, visit matariki.co.nz.
Matariki 2027 at a Glance:
- Public Holiday: Friday 25 June 2027
- Long Weekend: Friday 25 - Sunday 27 June
- Meaning: Māori New Year - a time for remembrance, celebration, and looking forward
- Traditions: Stargazing, feasting (hākari), earth oven cooking, community gatherings
- Learn more: matariki.co.nz
Where to See the Matariki Stars in Northland
This is where the Bay of Islands earns its place on a Matariki weekend: the northern skies here are clear and dark, and the stargazing is genuinely great. Look low to the north-east in the pre-dawn sky around the holiday. You don't need a special spot - anywhere away from streetlights works, whether that's a quiet beach, a paddock, or simply stepping out of your chalet into the orchard. One honest local tip: it's mid-winter, so it's crisp out there - take a blanket, have a look, and head back in for a hot drink.
What's On in Kerikeri for Matariki
Specific Matariki 2027 events are usually announced in the months before the holiday - check Eventfinda closer to the date. But recent years give a good picture of how Kerikeri celebrates:
- Puketi Forest family nights - night walks among the kauri, campfires, marshmallows and sausages, and even a VR experience, run for Matariki in the Puketi Forest.
- Matariki tastings and menus - local cafés and eateries, like the Honey House Café, have marked Matariki with special tastings and seasonal kai.
- Matariki art in town - Kerikeri has hosted Matariki art shows over the holiday, celebrating the season through local artists.
- Stargazing and community gatherings - from organised events to families simply out under the stars with a blanket.
The clear winter skies of the Bay of Islands make Northland a wonderful setting for stargazing and quiet reflection during the Matariki weekend. Whether you're attending events in the region, exploring the Kerikeri Stone Store, walking the Kerikeri River Track, or simply taking a mid-winter break, Kerigold Chalets is a great base for your stay.
