As Puaka and Matariki rise in the predawn skies, Ōtepoti Dunedin is preparing to welcome the Māori New Year with the Puaka Matariki Festival – a month-long celebration of renewal, reflection and connection.
The festival, now in its 15th year in Ōtepoti, this year runs from Saturday 14 June – Saturday 12 July 2025.
The programme includes 26 events across Ōtepoti Dunedin, from the beauty of a traditional hautapu ceremony, to the sharing of kai, kapa haka performances and the return of the festival’s spectacular drone show lighting up the winter night.
Puaka Matariki Festival Coordinator Rewa Pene says, “From marae to museums, this year’s festival will have something for everyone – and that’s the whole idea.
“This festival embraces the diversity of our community and celebrates the sharing of mātauranga Māori with everyone.”
The Puaka Matariki Festival was created in 2009 with a clear kaupapa to include everyone – Māori and non-Māori alike – in celebrating the richness of te ao Māori and the turning of the year.
“The aim has always been to recognise Matariki’s significance and bring communities together to learn, share and grow. That inclusive intent remains at the heart of the festival today.”
Highlights include:
- A dawn hautapu ceremony and 3-day wānaka at Puketeraki Marae, including:
- A Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop
- A kōrero on traditional navigation and celestial knowledge with Brendan Flack
- Mokopapa with kaitā Rosie Edwards (Eclectic)
- A hautapu ceremony at Araiteuru Marae as part of the “Hara Mai te Toki”
- The public launch ceremony “Matariki Ahuka Nui” (20 June at 6.45am, Tūhura Otago Museum Reserve)
- The spectacular drone light show “Matariki mā Puaka” (21 June from 5.30pm-9pm, Union Street, Logan Park)
- The exclusive Dunedin film premiere of Kōkā (18 June at 6.15pm, Rialto Cinemas).
The full events programme can be found here.