encompassing kaupapa and events across Tauranga Moana and the Western Bay of Plenty

– from Waiororo near Athenree in the north to Ōtamarākau in the south

Celebrating Across the Bay from
6 JUNE 2026

WHATS ON

URURANGI

THEME:

This year for 2026, Matariki Te Tauranga o ngā Waka embraces Ururangi as its theme. More information to come soon.

MATARIKI COUNTDOWN

Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as the Pleiades. While it comprises over 300 stars, only seven are typically seen – we can observe Matariki rise in the north-eastern horizon just before dawn.

Matariki is a time for remembering the deceased and celebrating new life. Matariki was a season for manaakitanga (hospitality) that brought communities together. Visitors were showered with gifts of specially preserved food and other delicacies. Throughout Matariki, Māori learnt from each other, which ensured that traditions like arts, weaving, waiata, performances, wānanga and whakapapa were passed from one generation to the next.

This year's public holiday is on 10 July 2026.

Do you have a Matariki event that is held in the Western Bay of Plenty?

Submit your event for approval so we can promote your event online

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT

Contact

Please feel free to contact us by phone or email.

Or alternatively fill in the form below, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

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As Matariki rises in our skies. A time to reflect, to remember those who have passed, and to dream boldly for the future.

Matariki is more than a star cluster. It’s a time to reconnect with whānau, share kai, honour the natural world, and set intentions for the year ahead. In Tauranga Moana and Western Bay, we come together under the stars to celebrate life, legacy, and new beginnings.

🌟 Matariki reminds us:
🔹 To remember – those we’ve lost
🔹 To celebrate – the present and our people
🔹 To aspire – planting seeds for a brighter tomorrow

Join us in Tauranga Moana for a rich line-up of events honouring the spirit of Matariki. Let’s come together and welcome the new year with aroha and unity.

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Waiata Wenerei in Masonic Park this week for Matariki 🌟

Celebrate Matariki with Tauranga Art Gallery, at the Tauranga City Library, by making your own hanging water animal. Starting with a visit to Te Tuhi Mareikura Trust’s matARiki Sculpture Trail for inspiration, you will then use water colour pencils, crayons, posca pens, and metallic papers to bring your mahi toi to life. Maybe a sparkling snapper from Waitā’s saltwater moana, or a long glistening tuna (eel) from the flowing awa of Waitī. We are running two sessions.

Numbers are limited to 15 tamariki at each session. All materials will be provided. Bookings are essential.

· 10.00am - 12.00pm: 5–8 years

· 1.00pm - 3.00pm: 9–12 years

When: Sunday, 22 June 2025, 10.00am – 3.00pm

Where: He Puna Manawa, Tauranga Library, 21 Devonport Road, Tauranga CBD

Price: $10 per participant

More information: book.artgallery.org.nz/matariki

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Over the Matariki weekend, we will have 10 x Ngāi Tūkairangi artists feature some of their work pertaining to Matariki.

The 2025 theme is "Matariki mā Pūanga" is about inclusion, embracing diversity, and celebrating Matariki together. It acknowledges the different traditions around the motu in celebrating te tau hou Māori, encouraging us all to come together.

Following on from a successful Wānanga Toi held at Hungahungatoroa Marae and hosted by Maraea Timutimu, this exhibition is a great opportunity to harness some of that energy within our community, especially as we work towards growing a strong culture of mahi toi and ringatoi within Ngāi Tūkairangi.

EXHIBITION DETAILS:

Open: 8am Friday 20th of June (Matariki Public Holiday)

Close: 4pm Sunday 22nd of June

Where: Hungahungatoroa Club, Matapihi

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AqSVgKhaw/

This exhibition is also being delivered with the support of Creative Bay of Plenty, and TECT.

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Check out the what is happening at the Mount over the Matariki Long Weekend starting with Matariki Maumaharatanga at the top of Mauao.

The full programme is here
👉https://www.facebook.com/share/1CM17Y72Av/

Mount Maunganui Mainstreet

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Waiata Wēnerei

18 Jun 2025, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Masonic Park, 59 The Strand, Tauranga

Nau Mai - Tomo Mai - Waiata Mai. Join us for a sing-along to your favourite waiata Māori, local anthems, waiata Matariki, and some old school throwbacks. Lyrics provided. All ages, skill levels, and walks of life welcome to lend their voice to a celebration of all our favourite waiata Māori. Led by Jeremy Hantler of local legends The Harmonic Resonators and supported by the Waiata Wēnerei crew from Tauranga City Council.

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Opening tonight at 5.30pm.

Head to Art + Body Creative Studio and check out the Tā Ua exhibition.🌟

This Saturday come down to The Incubator to celebrate Matariki.

From 10am - Ngā Toi o Ngā Whetū ⭐

Matariki hunga nui – Matariki, the gatherer of people.

Join us for a vibrant Matariki morning of art, storytelling, performance and community at The Incubator Creative Hub in the Historic Village.

This free special Saturday morning event brings together four stunning art exhibitions in four galleries, Kapahaka and music performances from Pāpāmoa College students, delicious kai, and the vibes of the Village boutiques.

Experience the spirit of Matariki through toi (art) as we honour reflection, renewal, and creativity. Bring the whānau and friends and be inspired and celebrate the rich artistic voices of our talented creative community.

Whānau friendly, culturally rich, and creatively inspiring—don’t miss it!

Matariki Maumaharatanga

20 Jun 2025, 6:00 am – 8:00 am
Mauao Summit, Mount Maunganui

Tākina mai rā
Ko ngā hui o Matariki
Puanga, Tautoru
Ka ngaro Atutahi
Ma e Takurua
Ka rewa kei runga te tini wheturiki
Pūhia e te hau ki runga o Mauao
Taku kuratangi, whakaingoingo nei

Matariki is about remembering those who have passed on, looking to the future; and being present with our loved ones. While Tauranga Moana celebrates Te Mātahi o Te Tau (Māori New Year) on 28 May 2025, on the morning of our national holiday, 20 June 2025, we acknowledge and remember loved ones who have passed in the year. We invite all whānau pani (grieving families) and friends who have lost loved ones in the past year to place your hand on Te Tapuātea o Mauao and call out the names of your loved ones (karanga mate). This is a special way to remember those who have passed away and acknowledge them as whetū - stars in the night sky that continue to look over us.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/TPIRTrust

#Matariki2025
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#Westernbay

Matariki ki te Papa - University of Waikato

17 Jun 2025, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Waihīrere (Red Square), Spring Street, Tauranga 3110
University of Waikato, Te Manawaroa Room, Durham Street, Tauranga

Nau mai tātou ka whakatairanga i tēnei huihuinga o tātou. Come and help us celebrate the meaning of Matariki in our city centre. We will share waiata and stories as we trace the significance of Hautapu from its ancient source to our activities today. Hautapu is a traditional ceremony associated with Matariki. This ceremony is commonly known as ‘whāngai i te hautapu’, meaning to feed the stars with a sacred offering. There will be waiata at Waihīrere (Red Square) from 12:00-12:30pm (weather dependent). This will be held in front of the sculpture Te Rauhea. Following waiata, a lecture will be held at the University of Waikato’s Tauranga Campus about Hautapu and the observation through ceremony as practised today.

University of Waikato - Tauranga
Downtown Tauranga

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#Westernbay
#taurangacitylibraries

He Puna Whetū

17 Jun 2025, 5:30– 6:30 pm
Tauranga Astronomical Society, Tilby Drive, Matua, Tauranga

Tīrama ana mai ngā whetū o te ata. Ko Puanga kei runga, Takurua kei runga, koia ko Matariki e tīaho iho nei. Explore the wonders of Matariki through stargazing and storytelling in this special event, hosted in collaboration with the Tauranga Astronomical Society and STEM Wana Trust. Discover the stars that guided our tīpuna, hear pūrākau of Matariki, and deepen your understanding of the connections between science and mātauranga Māori.

Registration required.

This event has two sessions, one starting at 5:30pm and one starting at 7.00pm. Your ticket is only valid for one session.

More information: https://library.tauranga.govt.nz/whats-on/kia-kaha-te-reo-m%C4%81ori

To book your place: https://events.humanitix.com/he-puna-whetu

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

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#TaurangaMoana
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#Westernbay
#taurangacitylibraries

Pocket Size Play Poi workshop

14 Jun 2025, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Tauranga Library, He Puna Manawa 21 Devonport Road, Tauranga

Join us for a morning of creating poi, Matariki storytelling, learning songs and the meaning of the movements in poi.

Price: Free
More information: https://library.tauranga.govt.nz/whats-on/kia-kaha-te-reo-m%C4%81ori

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

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He Pō Pūrakau – Stories of Matariki

13 Jun 2025, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Pāpāmoa Library, 15 Gravatt Road, Papamoa Beach

Ka kitea a Matariki māoka ko te hinu. Ko Tāne te atua nāna i tohatoha te whānau mārama ki runga i a Ranginui. Kua eke mai rā ki te tau huhua. Join us for an evening of storytelling, hot milo, and fun activities. Dress in your cosiest, coolest PJs and listen to magical stories of Matariki. Registration required. Suitable for children under 10 years. Parents are required to stay for the duration of the session.

Price: Free

More information: https://library.tauranga.govt.nz/whats-on/kia-kaha-te-reo-m%C4%81ori

To book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/he-po-purakau-tickets-1319595739379?aff=oddtdtcreator

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

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#TeTaurangaoNgāWaka
#TaurangaMoana
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#MatarikiCelebration
#WhakapapaToTheStars
#Westernbay
#taurangacitylibraries

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​ Celebrating Across the Bay from 6 JUNE 2026 ​​ ​