Matariki and the Māori New Year has always been a special time for Māori, and in June 2022 it was acknowledged with a public holiday for the first time.

To mark the occasion this Whāngai i te Hautapu ceremony, led by Sir Pou Temara (Ngāi Tūhoe) and tohunga of Te Mātāpunenga, was held before dawn at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. Tohunga observed the star constellation and made predictions for the year ahead.

Also involved in the ceremony were Ardern and Professor Rangi Matamua (Ngāi Tūhoe), who led the committee which provided guidance to the government about the creation of the new public holiday.

The Matariki public holiday will be observed each year on a Friday in June or July.