Matariki ahunga nui 2026

Join Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki for Matariki Ahunga Nui. This FREE whānau-friendly event celebrates community, fun and creativity. Engage in craft activities inspired by our hero whetū Hiwa-i-te-rangi and enjoy kapa haka performances and music from emerging local talent from Crescendo Trust. Taane Mete returns to focus on Hiwa-i-te-rangi through his dance performance, Greatsouth (Payton Taplin) delivers indie rock with taonga pūoro and we end the day with a waiata singalong. Blind, Low Vision and Deaf communities are welcome with specific activations as well as providing a relaxed sensory space with parallel play activities. This event is focusing on three themes: – Matariki ki te Rangi celebrating the attributes and kōrero of te Kahui o ngā whetū, the Matariki cluster. This theme has been chosen by the Matariki Festival and partnering iwi Ngāti Tamaoho. – Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone embodying a beautiful spirit of unity, inclusion and our shared heritage. Matariki Herenga Waka signifies that Tāmaki is a welcoming land of arrival, gathering and belonging. This theme, chosen by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, emphasises that Matariki weaves connections among us all, transcending barriers of background, culture or origin. This theme has been chosen by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, 2026 hosts of the nationally broadcast Matariki hautapu on 10 July 2026. – Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the youngest whetū in the Matariki constellation, famously known as the ‘wishing star’ which symbolises the fulfillment of our hopes, dreams and aspirations for the year ahead. Hiwa shines as a beacon of prosperity and positive growth. This theme has been chosen as the hero whetū by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki as part of the Cultural Sector Alliance encompassing Auckland’s major institutions. Kids and whānau events: Hopukina he āniwaniwa, tukuna he wawata | Kids and whānau create Catch a rainbow, make a wish Te Ātea North Atrium | Mezzanine floor – 10am to 5pm Ko Te Pokapū Rangahau E H McCormick e whakaatu ana i te kaupapa Matariki – He kōrero paki | E H McCormick Library presents Matariki storytime Tūāpapa ki te Raki | Kōeke 2 – North Terrace | Level 2 – 11am to 11:30 Crafts and making events: Whakakai mārihi | Treasured adornments Te Ātea North Atrium | Mezzanine floor – 10am to 5pm Matariki chill zone Members lounge | Level 2 – 10am to 5pm Library craft zone E H McCormick Research Library | Mezzanine floor – 1pm to 5pm Matariki crafting for Blind and Low Vision visitors E H McCormick Research Library | Mezzanine floor – 11am to 12:30pm Performance and Talks: Te Tūhononga ki Rāwhiti Kapa Haka Forecourt – 10am to 10:30am and 1pm to 1:30pm Pīata | A Taane Mete performance Grey Gallery and Te Kawau Gallery | Ground floor and Level 1 – 12pm to 12:45pm and 2pm to 2:45pm Under the Same Stars artist talk Auditorium | Lower ground floor – 2pm to 3pm Music: Crescendo: Ngā whetū maiangi | Crescendo: rising stars Kauhanganui | Papatū – Main foyer | Ground floor – 10:30am to 2pm Greatsouth Kauhanganui | Papatū – Main foyer | Ground floor – 3pm to 3:40pm He waiata manahau me te kapa waiata All Together Now | Waiata manahau with All Together Now choir Taiwhanga Kerei | Papatū – Grey Gallery | Ground floor – 3:30pm to 4:30pm Hono mai mō Matariki Ahunga Nui ki Toi o Tāmaki! He kaupapa utukore mō te whānau katoa, e whakanui ana i te hapori, te ngahau me auahatanga. Whai wāhi atu ki ngā mahi ā-rehe e hāngai ana ki te whetū, ki a Hiwa-i-te-rangi. Mātakitaki kapa haka, whakarongo hoki ki ngā puoro e puta mai ana i ētahi nō Crescendo Trust. Ka hoki mai a Taane Mete me te aro atu ki a Hiwa-i-te-rangi mā te kanikani, ka tū a Greatsouth (Payton Taplin) me āna waiata e tūhono ana i te indie rock me te taonga puoro. Ka mutu ngā mahi o te rā ki te waiata tahi. E pōhiritia anate hunga Kāpo me te hunga Turi e mātou ki ētahi mahi motuhake hei whai wāhi atu, he wāhi tairongo āhuru hoki me ētāhi mahi kē atu e hāngai ana. I tēnei tau ka aro atu ki ngā kaupapa e toru nei: – Matariki ki te Rangi kua tohua e te Matariki Festival, e mahi tahi ana me Ngāti Tamaoho. – Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone kua tohua e Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, ngā kaiwhakahaere o te hautapu ka pāho ki te motu hei te 10 o Hūrae 2026. – Hiwa-i-te-rangi kua tohua hei whetū matua e Toi o Tāmaki, he mema o te Cultural Sector Alliance e tūhono ana i ngā whakahaerenga matua i Tāmaki Makaurau. Proudly supported by Auckland Council Events and the city centre targeted rate. Matariki ahunga nui is part of the Matariki Festival 2026 and Matariki ki te Manawa.

Date & Time

• Friday, 10 July 2026

  10:00 – 17:00 (Pacific/Auckland)