Find a clinic Courses sign in Shop
Our other mahi
Menopause Wellbeing Decide Get Tested NZ Wheel of Fertility
Your cart
Your cart is empty
Continue shopping
Sign in to the shop to view all you your saved items.
Sign in
Shop sign in

Returning customers

Required fields are marked by *

Forgot Password?

Don't have a shop account?

Sign up

How making Matariki a national holiday has meant it’s for everyone

  • News
  • How making Matariki a national holiday has meant it’s for everyone
8 JULY 2026 EDITORIAL
  • Copy link to this item

    The 2026 theme for Matariki is Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone. We reflect on what this means and why it’s important.

    Matariki – or Māori New Year – is an important fixture of Te Ao Māori. It marks the start of the Maramataka – the traditional Māori lunar calendar – and is a time of reflection, celebration and preparation.

    But the truth is that many Pākehā knew nothing or very little of this celebration until Dame Jacinda Ardern started talking about making it a national holiday. In 2022, Matariki became the first New Zealand public holiday tied to Te Ao Māori. The act of marking Matariki on the public calendar has enabled it to bloom in the national consciousness.

    The 2026 theme for Matariki is Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone. It’s a fitting theme for a day that has been widely embraced across the motu. Organisations, whānau, and individuals now enjoy the mid-winter celebration in myriad different ways.

    So this year we thought we’d take the time to reflect on how our staff are celebrating Matariki, and what it means to them.

    Scroll through the quotes below

  • He mea nui hei maumahara o tatou tāngata kua ngaro ki te pō, o tatou tūmanako me o tatou wawata mō apōpō. He wā whakahirahira tēnei ki te whai whakaaro, ā, ki te whakanui ēra mea. ✨

    (It is important that Matariki is for everyone because everyone has memories of loved ones passed and hopes and dreams for the year ahead. What an awesome time to reflect and celebrate those things)" ✨

    Rose Haskell, Community Health Promoter

    Matariki for my whānau means our kāinga is full of laughs and love over our favourite kai, Hangi! We remember our loved ones who have passed on, reminisce on achievements and blessings from the past year. We tautoko any local kaupapa to show our gratitude towards the acknowledgement of Matariki."

    Amy Anderson, Client Service Representative

    In my community, we’re encouraging people to light up their houses for Matariki. We have had some difficult times in recent months and Matariki feels like an opportunity to draw a line under those difficult times and to come together in a positive way. On the evening of Matariki, we will be gathering at a local gallery for hot chocolate and Matariki biscuits."

    Sue Reid, Communication Manager

    Matariki for our whānau takes on the special meaning of remembrance with the recent passing of our Uncle Sonny. We will be looking to the stars on Matariki morning knowing he is there singing and playing his guitar."

    Tania Huria, Director Hauora Māori and Equity

    At my son’s preschool the tamariki are learning all about Matariki, the different stars, and their significance. They’re practising songs to perform at a gathering with whānau and kaimahi. The kids are so keen to learn – and to teach their family a thing or two! To me, Matariki Herenga Waka means just that – coming together, sharing kai, learning, and celebrating."

    Hannah Lawrence, Communication Advisor