Recreation at the heart of Matariki
Matariki Mā Puanga celebrating together
As Aotearoa prepares to mark Matariki on Friday 20 June, recreation professionals across the motu play a vital role in bringing people together through meaningful, inclusive programmes.
Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. Increasingly, recreation is where these connections happen.
This year, councils, community centres, and recreation providers are collaborating with iwi and cultural leaders to deliver a diverse programme of events — from night-sky star hunts and whetū (star) walks, to shared kai, creative workshops, and wellbeing-focused activities. Many programmes are weaving mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) into everyday recreation, creating opportunities for communities to engage with te ao Māori in accessible, respectful ways.
Matariki is a natural fit for our sector. It’s about connection — to land, people, heritage, and ourselves. These are the foundations of strong, resilient communities, and recreation helps bring them to life.
Key trends for 2025
✨ Place-based programming — local parks, reserves, and community hubs are coming alive with storytelling walks, planting events, and star-themed trails that encourage whānau to explore and learn together.
✨ Collaborative delivery — partnerships with iwi and Māori-led organisations are ensuring programmes remain culturally grounded and locally relevant. Many professionals are prioritising co-design to reflect tikanga and uphold mana whenua voices.
✨ Intergenerational focus — Matariki events are engaging tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people), pakeke (adults), and kaumātua (respected elders), creating opportunities to share knowledge across generations. Whānau-focused activities like manu tukutuku (kite) making and Matariki movie nights continue to draw strong participation.
✨Wellbeing through culture — Recreation is increasingly recognised as a platform for holistic wellbeing. Initiatives such as dawn yoga, star-themed art therapy, and communal kai reflect the hauora principles at the heart of Matariki.
For recreation professionals, Matariki is a powerful reminder of the sector’s wider role in fostering belonging, identity, and social connection. It’s also a chance to lead with intention — embedding indigenous values, creating safe spaces for learning, and designing experiences that honour both tradition and innovation.
Looking ahead
As Matariki becomes a permanent part of the national calendar, our sector has both an opportunity and a responsibility to evolve how we support this celebration. That means investing in cultural capability, amplifying Māori voices in programme design, and creating experiences that resonate with and reflect the communities we serve.
This Matariki, let’s celebrate not only under the stars — but through the shared spaces, stories, and connections that recreation makes possible.