Matariki 2026 (Herenga Waka): A Time to Gather, Reflect and Look Forward
Matariki in Arrowtown
Here in Arrowtown, winter has its own kind of stillness. The mornings are crisp. The mountains stand quietly around us. The Arrow River (Haehaenui) moves through the basin, carrying its own history, its own stories, its own connection to place.
In the early morning, before the light, the night sky here is something else entirely. The stars sit close and vast at once, the mountains dark against them, the air sharp and clear. It's the kind of sky that puts the year in proportion — and it's into this that the Matariki cluster rises.
That's when Matariki invites us to pause: to gather with whānau, share kai and kōrero, and carry forward the stories that shape us.
Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui. Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!
Matariki reappears, Whānui starts its flight — being the sign of the new year!
Coming Together Under Matariki Herenga Waka
On 10 July 2026, Aotearoa will celebrate Matariki under the theme Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone. It is a theme centred on connection, belonging, and shared heritage. A reminder that Matariki is a time for family and friends to come together: to remember those who have passed, to give thanks for what is here now, and to look ahead with care, intention, and hope.
At Arrowtown Stonework, this meaning feels close to the heart of what we do. For generations, pounamu has carried stories of people, place, whakapapa, aroha, strength, and connection. Each piece is shaped slowly and with intention, becoming something that can be worn, held, gifted, and passed on.
Much like Matariki itself, pounamu reminds us that we are connected to what has come before, what surrounds us now, and what we choose to carry into the future.
What Is Matariki?
Matariki marks the Māori New Year, signalled by the return of the Matariki star cluster in the winter sky. For many across Aotearoa, it is a time of remembrance, celebration, and preparation.
Traditionally, Matariki was connected to the changing seasons and the natural world. Our tūpuna observed the stars, the environment, and the signs around them, using this knowledge to reflect on the year that had passed and prepare for the year ahead.
Today, Matariki continues to hold deep significance — a quiet moment to slow down and return to what matters most.
The Meaning of Matariki Herenga Waka
The 2026 theme for Matariki is Herenga Waka: For Everyone, which speaks to unity and inclusion. At its heart, Matariki Herenga Waka is about connection — to whānau, whenua, stories and traditions, the people we walk beside, and the generations who came before us.
Pounamu, Connection and the Stories We Carry
Flowing through each piece of pounamu is a story. Some pieces speak of strength. Some speak to protection. Some of aroha, unity, healing, guidance, or new beginnings.
A toki may represent courage and resilience. A koru may reflect growth and renewal. A pikorua may symbolise the enduring bond between people whose paths remain connected. A roimata may offer comfort, remembrance, and emotional strength.
It's why pounamu feels close at this time of year — worn, held, carried through the season.
Worn, held, passed on.
Matariki in Our Community
Closer to home, Arrowtown gathers to mark Matariki ahead of the public holiday, with a community celebration at Arrowtown School on Wednesday 1 July. From mid-afternoon into the evening, there's karakia, kapa haka, the lifting of the hāngī and shared kai — the season lived, not just observed. We're proud to be part of it.
Pounamu for the Year Ahead
At Arrowtown Stonework, our pounamu is handcrafted with aroha, care, and respect for the stories each piece may come to hold. Whether chosen for yourself or gifted to someone close, pounamu can become a meaningful way to honour the season and carry its values into the year ahead.
The values Matariki invites us to reflect on are the same ones pounamu has always carried. Explore our Matariki collection.
