Matariki public holiday 2026: What’s open, what’s not, and when you have to pay a surcharge

RNZ5 Jul, 2026 09:32 PM3 mins to readColoured reflections and lights on Auckland's Harbour Bridge celebrating Matariki, which marks the reappearance of the seven Matariki stars, in late May or early June, the beginning of the Māori New YearColoured reflections and lights on Auckland's Harbour Bridge celebrating Matariki, which marks the reappearance of the seven Matariki stars, in late May or early June, the beginning of the Māori New YearMatariki celebrates the Māori New Year and is a time for people to gather, honour the dead, celebrate the present and make plans for the future.This year, the public holiday falls on Friday, July 10.

It became an official public holiday only in