Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council announce Ngāti Tamaoho as iwi manaaki (host iwi) for Matariki Festival for the next three years.

Mayor Wayne Brown encourages Aucklanders to get out and enjoy the events.

“Matariki is a time to reflect on the year that was and to enjoy the Māori New Year, and we’re proud to be partnering with Ngāti Tamaoho for the next three years to deliver Matariki Festival for Aucklanders.”

“I really loved last year’s dawn ceremony with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, I extend an invitation to all to join in the festivities to celebrate Matariki and learn more about te ao Māori and the rich history of Ngāti Tamaoho.”

Ngāti Tamaoho chairperson Tori Ngataki advocates for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau to explore different ways to participate in Matariki celebrations this year.

“We wish to acknowledge Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for hosting the celebrations over these recent years and look forward to continuing the festivities for the next three years. 

"Matariki for us is about coming together as whānau, communities, hapū and iwi to remember those who have passed and to look to our tupuna for guidance for an abundant future, bringing together the aspirations of many. 

“We encourage the people of Tāmaki Makaurau and around the motu to find simple ways to celebrate Matariki and invite all to attend one of our signature events or one of the many activities led by community.”

Aligned with the Matariki star cluster, Matariki Festival attracts thousands of visitors to events across Tāmaki Makaurau. This year’s festival takes place over two-weeks, starting Saturday 15 June to complement high energy and advantageous days in the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) and culminating in the celebration of Matariki as a public holiday on Friday 28 June.

Matariki Festival heralds the Māori new year in Tāmaki Makaurau and invites all to celebrate te ao Māori through stories, film, entertainment, discussions, performance, food and art.

Ngāti Tamaoho take over as iwi partner from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who delivered Matariki Festival from 2020 to 2023.