As we celebrate Matariki this month and welcome the New Year, our largest cities have many events and celebrations to welcome in the New Year. If you want to know what’s on and where, we’ve got our top picks of events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, all with great parking options close by.
Auckland
What: Matariki Festival
Where: Auckland Town Hall
When: Saturday 15th June – Friday 28th June
Auckland Town Hall are hosting free Matariki events from the 15th June to the 28th June. The events will include cultural ceremonies, community gatherings, interactive workshops & Exhibitions. Most events are free and hosted a various time throughout the day.
Best Parking Options:
- Greys Avenue, P820
- 450 Queen Street, P801
- Saint Matthews, P837
- 201 Hobson Street, P1630
What: Matariki Yoga in the Sky
Where: Auckland Sky Tower
When: Thursday 27th and Saturday 29th June
Celebrate Matariki as close to the stars as possible with 2-night yoga sessions to celebrate Matariki at Sky Tower. Here you can enjoy yoga sessions 186 metres above the city with 360-degree views of the city. For tickets click here.
Best Parking Options:
- Elliott Street, P143
- 205 Quen Street, P1577
- Durham Lane, P402
- Greys Avenue, P820
- Saint Matthews, P837
- 201 Hobson Street, P1630
What: Matariki on Karangahape Road
Where: Karangahape Road, Auckland
When: Thursday 23rd June
K Road are hosting a street party to celebrate the Māori New Year! The event will start from 5pm and will see the Karanghape Road businesses come together to bring an evening of live music, art, street performances, fashion, food and markets. The theme this year is sisterhood/ Wahine celebrating the mana of Wahine and honouring Matariki and the stars in the clusters.
Best Parking Options:
- 75 Karanghape Road, P1096
- Bankcard House, P159
- 100 Symonds Street, P508
- City Road, P133
- 17 Liverpool Street, P1544
What: Our People, Our Stories, Matariki ki te Manawa
Where: The Civic
When: Sunday 16th Jun, 2pm – 5pm
Head to The Civic for a free public seminar at The Civic, here speakers Amati Patuwai, Ani-Piki Tuari, Janaye Henry and Amber Curreen will share stories of Our People and Our Stories as part of 2024 Matariki celebrations.
Best Parking Options:
- Elliott Street, P143
- 205 Queen Street, P1577
- Durham Lane, P402
- Greys Avenue, P820
- Saint Matthews, P837
What: Matariki with Ché-Fu & The Kratez
Where: Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
When: Saturday 27th Jun, 7.30pm
Celebrate Matariki by listening to one of Aotearoa’s most well-known hip hop, R &B and reggae artists all with the backing of the Auckland Philharmonia. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking Options:
- Elliott Street, P143
- 205 Queen Street, P1577
- Durham Lane, P402
- Greys Avenue, P820
- Saint Matthews, P837
- 201 Hobson Street. P1630
What: Mihi
Where: Aotea Square
When: Friday 28th June – Sunday 30th June
Mihi is part of Matariki celebrations that invites you to pause, remember and celebrate those around us during Matariki. This will be through a large scale interactive video installation at Aotea Square over the Matariki long weekend. For more information, click here.
Best Parking Options:
- Elliott Street, P143
- 205 Queen Street, P1577
- Durham Lane, P402
- Greys Avenue, P820
- Saint Matthews, P837
- 201 Hobson Street, 1630
What: Matariki Ki Te Manawa installation
Where: Auckland Viaduct
When: Friday 14th June – Sunday 30th June
Head to Market Square at Auckland Viacduct to see an immersive installation to celebrate Matariki Ki Te Manawa. The installation was created by director Tuhirangi Blair, in collaboration with installation artist Angus Muir and is an impressive light display for all to see. This is also a great spot to see the Vector Harbour Bridge light display for Matariki.
Best Parking Options:
- Princes Wharf, P246
- Farmers, P98
- Reo carpark, P123
- Vogel Lane, P415
What: Matariki at Karanga Plaza
Where: Auckland Waterfront
When: Saturday 29th June, 10 am – 2pm
Come to Karanga Plaza on Halsey Street for a day of free Matariki celebrations on Auckland’s waterfront. There will be a range of family activities including a weaving workshop, dance performances, Rongoa Tī, kids activities and a live DJ.
Best Parking Options:
- Princes Wharf, P246
- Farmers, P98
- Reo carpark, P123
- Vogel Lane, P415
What: Tākaro at Silo Park
Where: Silo Park, Auckland Waterfront
When: Sunday 7th July, 10 am – 2pm
Māori games expert Harko Brown will facilitating a range of games for the whole whānau to enjoy. The events is free to attend and will focus on creating a space to connect.
Best Parking Options:
- Princes Wharf, P246
- Farmers, P98
- Reo carpark, P123
Wellington
What: Matariki Ahi Kā
When: Wellington waterfront
Where: Thursday 27th June – Sunday 30th June
Celebrate Matariki with the biggest celebration at Wellington Waterfront. The festival will include fire, projections, performances, and a special ceremony to honour those who have passed away and to express hopes for the future. The ceremony begins at the Memorial Wall each evening at 7.45pm and moves along Te Papa Promenade to Whairepo Lagoon, where names and memories will be released into flames to become stars. They’ll also be lots of kai from Odlins Plaza kai court and performers on the Aroha stage.
Best Parking Options:
- VSPC – Victoria Street Parking Centre, P793
- Plimmer Tower, 2 Gilmer Terrace, P850
- 80 Boulcott Street, P132
- Capital, 50-60 Boulcott Street, P152
What: Starry Night over the Rhone
When: 166 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Where: Monday 8th July
Celebrate Matariki at Paintvine, here you can paint the stars and while enjoying a drink and laugh with friends. For more information, click here.
Best Parking Options:
- Lower Willis, P71
- Upper Willis Street, P328
- Leftbank, P853
- 138 Ghuznee Street, P2159
What: Matariki Lantern Making
When: Space Place, 40 Salamanca Road
Where: Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th, 10am – 5pm.
Head to the Space Station over the Matariki long weekend with the kids and get crafty by making Matariki lanterns. Here kids can chose coloured paper strips and weave them together to make their very lantern, you can either leave them at the space centre or take them home.
Best Parking Options:
• Skyline – park here then catch the gondola to Space Place, P880
What: Matariki After Dark
When: Wellington Foyer, Rongomaraeroa, Te Papa
Where: Friday 21st June, 7pm – 11pm.
For a night of celebrations head to Te Papa for Matariki After Dark. Here guests can enjoy the musical melodies of Jordyn, take part in in rongoā workshops and listen poetry by Māori Mermaid. There’ll also be drinks and Kai to purchase on the night. The night will then end with dancing as DJ Kayseeu takes over the floor.
Best Parking Options:
- Lower Willis, P71
- Upper Willis Street, P328
- Leftbank, P853
- 138 Ghuznee Street, P2159
Christchurch
What: Tīrama Mai
Where: The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Boulevard
When: Friday 21st June – 30th June, 5pm – 10pm.
Head to a free festival to celebrate Matariki in Christchurch city centre. The festival will bring together art, lights and cultural for a memorising trail of illuminated artworks, projections, music soundscapes and interactive installations making it perfect for families to celebrate Matariki. If you head over for opening night, you can enjoy kapa haka performances at The Art Centre in the North Quad. They’ll also be story-telling and performances over both weekends and on the 27th Thursday and 28th Friday June.
Best Parking Options:
- 63 Worcester Boulevard, P899
- The Cranmer carpark, P2141
- 107 Cambridge Terrace, P34
What: Tīrama Ma at Riverside Market
Where: Riverside Market, Oxford Terrace
When: Friday 25st June – Saturday 10th July
Over the weekends of Tīrama Mai, Riverside will have live music from 6pm, to help celebrate Matariki while you can explore the lighting trails around the city and outside Riverside Market
Best Parking Options:
- 150 Tuam Street, P3160
- 170 Tuam Street, P895
- 118 Tuam Street, P3203
- 597 – 601 Colombo Street
What: Haerenga Ki Matariki – Inclusive Performance Academy
Where: The Philip Carter Family Concert Hall, The Piano, 156 Armagh Street
When: Thursday 27th June
Celebrate Matariki by heading to The Paino to see Haerenga Ki Matariki – Journey to Matariki.
Best Parking Options:
- 133 Armagh Street, P3217
- 772 – 774 Colombo Street, P785
- 160 Gloucester Street, P3111
- 245 Manchester Street, P972