Matariki Puanga

About Matariki Puanga

The rising of Puanga (also known as the star Rigel in Orion) and the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters) mark the Māori New Year, a time to remember our loved ones who have passed and to prepare for the New Year, as we enter the colder months. 

It is a special time to get together, to restore faith and hope for the future, to celebrate whanaungatanga (kinship), to be with others, to share stories and kai, and plan to work towards a sustainable future.

Puanga is a single whetū (star). It’s not part of the Matariki cluster but appears in the evening sky shortly before Matariki rises each year. Puanga rises higher in the sky than Matariki, so can only be seen by a few iwi – those who are in parts of the Far North, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington, the Hutt Valley, and parts of the South Island. Puanga is the star acknowledged by our mana whenua iwi Te Āti Awa, while Ngāti Toa acknowledge the Matariki cluster. Being a region surrounded by hills and mountain ranges, there are many vantage points where both are visible.

Matariki Ahi Kā

Āhea | When 6pm–9pm, Thursday 19 June - Sunday 22 June 2025
Ki hea | Where Wellington Waterfront | View on Google Maps, Te Papa | View on Google Maps
Te utu | Cost Free

We invite you to celebrate the Māori New Year in a uniquely Wellington way.

Honour our culture and history, with a big, bold, immersive Wellington Waterfront walk-through journey including fire, projections, performances, and a special ceremony each night honouring those who have passed away. Share kai with friends and whānau each evening at our kai courts.

Visit this page later in June for programme information and the event map.

Food vendor registrations have now closed.

For event updates and cancellations please visit the Matariki Ahi Kā Facebook event page

The ‘Pōhutokawa & Hiwa-i-te-rangi’ ceremony is on at 7.40pm each evening. From 6pm to 7.30pm, write down the names of loved ones who have passed since last Matariki, memories, wishes, and hopes for the future. Place these in the baskets provided at the Memorial Wall and Whairepo Lagoon.

Our ceremony begins at the tomokanga (entrance) near the Barnett Street carpark at 7.40pm, and will move along the Te Papa Promenade to Whairepo Lagoon. Our pāpā and tamariki will walk along the waterfront discovering the story of the Matariki whetū (stars). At the Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-rangi locations we will release the names and memories (Pōhutukawa), and the wishes and hopes (Hiwa-i-te-rangi), into the flames to rise to the stars.

Visit this page later in June for programme information and the event map.

Matariki Ahi Kā – memorial projection call-out

The rising of Puanga and the Matariki star cluster is a time to reflect on the past and remember our loved ones who have passed away, celebrate the present, and prepare for the new year ahead. 

As part of our Matariki Ahi Kā event, we will honour people who have passed away since last Matariki by displaying their names and a message on a memorial projection on the side of Te Papa (view on Google Maps).

If you’d like to put forward the name of a loved one with a message for inclusion in the projection, please complete the online form before Saturday 31 May 2025:

Submit a name for the memorial projection

Mana Moana Pōneke

Āhea | When 6pm–9pm, 7–8 June, 14–15 June, 19–22 June
Ki hea | Where Whairepo Lagoon | View on Google Maps
Te utu | Cost Free

In the lead-up to Matariki Ahi Kā and during the long weekend, enjoy Mana Moana Pōneke, a series of indigenous short films about our ocean, projected on a water screen.

Watch as millions of water droplets fall and catch the light, creating the illusion of images appearing from the darkness and floating on the water. Mana Moana Pōneke is a collaboration between Māori and Pasifika musicians, artists, writers, and choreographers.

For event updates and cancellations please visit the Mana Moana Pōneke Facebook event page.

Other Matariki events

Matariki Puanga traditions in our region

He mihi nā te mana whenua o Te Upoko-o-te-Ika - an introduction from our mana whenua

Tērā Puanga ka rewa i te pae
Nau mai, hara mai ngā hua o te tau
Tākiri ko te ata, ka pua te ata
Korihi te manu tino awatea
Ko te tangi mai o te kō, kō korimako
i te atatū, tū ka takatū ki te ao mārama Tēnei
te raukura, tēnei te rauhuia, tēnā koutou
katoa

Behold the rise of Rigel.
Welcome the fruits of the new year.
As dawn strikes, morning blooms
The early bird calls.
It is the call of the bellbird
After sun rise, prepared for the world of light.
Here is the plume of the Toroa, here is the
feather of the Huia. Greetings to you all

In the last few years, Aotearoa New Zealand has embraced the celebration of Matariki, the Māori New Year. Riding the wave of interest from all walks of life, as mana whenua, we’d like to share some of the whakaaro (thinking) about the authentic Matariki tradition in Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, and about the lesser-known single star Puanga.

Ngāti Toa and Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, alongside Wellington city and regional councils, have come together in acknowledgment of the shared significance of Matariki and Puanga.

We invite you and your whānau, iwi and communities to share in our knowledge and tikanga and explore the ways that we can all celebrate and uplift Matariki and Puanga this year.

Kura Moeahu – Tiamana (Chairman), Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui
Dr Te Taku Parai – Pou Tikanga, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira

Highlights from previous year

See the photos below for an overview of Matariki Ahi Kā 2024.