Māori Meals: A Celebration of Matakiri and Traditions

Māori Meals: A Celebration of Matakiri and Traditions

Matariki is a special occasion for celebration here in Aotearoa. It’s an event that marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. Matariki takes place every year in the middle of winter, from late May to early July.  

Matariki is an official public holiday in New Zealand. In 2026, it will be marked on Friday, 10 July, with the reappearance of the constellation falling on 8-11 July. The best time for viewing the Matarikicluster is just before dawn — so set your alarm clocks and bundle up!  

What is Matariki?

Matariki is a star cluster that appears in the early morning sky of Aotearoa during the winter season. It’s one of the brightest star clusters and is known around the world by different names, such as the Seven Sisters or the Japanese name Subaru.

Matariki signifies the beginning of the Māori New Year in Te Ao Māori. The occasion is celebrated through the lens of Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge and wisdom). It’s about honouring those who have passed on, celebrating the present and what we have, and welcoming the hope of a new year.

How is Matariki Celebrated?

Matariki has traditionally been celebrated by lighting ritual fires and making offerings to the spirits of those who have passed on. A common tradition was to use the steam from the hangi to make offerings to the Matariki star cluster, which farewelled loved ones. It was also a time for harvest and for elders to pass down stories and lessons.

These days, Matariki is celebrated in much the same traditional ways. Whanau and communities come together to remember ancestors, feast, share stories, and play music.

The Power of Kai: Dig into a Hāngī this Matariki

Māori hāngī is a traditional cooking method where underground steam acts as an oven, creating a tasty meal. Locals and visitors can enjoy hāngī at restaurants and takeaway venues across the motu.

Traditionally, Māori cooked food such as fish and kūmara (sweet potato) was common. It was often cooked in a pit dug into the ground, wrapped in flax leaves. Nowadays, ingredients include pork, lamb, potato, pumpkin, and cabbage, often wrapped in mutton cloth or tin foil, and placed in wire baskets.

The baskets are set on hot stones at the bottom of the hole in the ground. They are covered in a layer of wet cloth and dirt, which helps trap the heat. For the next three to four hours, the hāngī is left to cook until the meats are tender, the vegetables are cooked through, and infused with earthy, smoky flavours.

Matariki and Hāngī Events Across Aotearoa

Hangī Hākari 2026

Join the Auckland community on the city’s North Shore for an evening of kai and waiata at Devonport Community House. From 6 pm on Sunday, 19 July, enjoy delicious hāngī and a sweet treat!

Ngā Whetū o te Tau Hou | The Stars of the New Year | Planetarium shows

For those seeking Matariki events in Auckland, step into the planetarium for an immersive journey through the night sky to explore the Matariki cluster! Discover the stories, science and traditions connected to each of the constellations. This show is a great way to honour the season and the Māori New Year.  

Matariki Ahi Kā

Head to the Wellington Waterfront and Te Papa kai courts for an immersive evening of performances, fire, and projections in honour of Matariki. Food trucks and pop-up stalls will serve authentic hangī and other winter treats for an authentic experience, perfect for families.

Matariki in the Zone 2026 

This Matariki Christchurch event will be held at the Riverlution EcoHub (46a Vogel Street, Richmond) on Saturday, 11 July in the afternoon. It’s a family-friendly event of cultural activities, music, and authentic hangī, cooked by the local marae.  

The Tannery Matariki Food Market  

Browse the food stalls and dig into some delicious kai and hangī-inspired dishes, while you tap your feet to the live music and enjoy the bar. This Christchurch Matariki event will be located at 3 Garlands Road, Woolston, on Friday, 10 July.  

Hangi Master Tahuna   

For those in Queenstown, this is a popular pop-up along the iconic Queenstown waterfront. Enjoy a hangī and other traditional Māori kai such as fry bread, boil-up, and steam pudding. 

The Matariki Remarkables Market 

Wander to The Red Barn at Remarkables Park (Hawthorne Drive) for a cosy alpine celebration of the New Year. Enjoy live music, coffee, food trucks, hāngī, and local crafts! 

Rotorua is the cultural hub of Aotearoa and a great place to explore this Matariki long weekend! Check out our ultimate Rotorua itinerary guide, including places to get yummy kai!