Matariki Ahunga Nui 2026

Join us for Matariki Ahunga Nui at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki! 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.

We warmly welcome our Blind, Low Vision and Deaf communities with specific activations as well as providing a relaxed sensory space with parallel play activities.

This year we are 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.