Matariki campaign

Stars of the Matariki constellation.

The Republican Movement encourages you to join in the Matariki celebrations by transferring your Queen's Birthday public holiday to Matariki or any other day of the year that has special significance for you.

Matariki - Maori New Year

Matariki events happen throughout New Zealand every year. They are a celebration of Maori culture and cosmology and of New Zealand's unique place in the world. While there are regional variations on when celebrations are observed overall 'Matariki' is on the first new moon after the rise of the constellation Matariki. This year that day is on the same weekend as Queen's Birthday Weekend.

Over the next decade, Matariki will be held on:

• Thursday 21 June 2012,
• Monday 10 June 2013,
• Saturday June 28 2014,
• Thursday 18 June 2015,
• Monday 6th June 2016,
• Sunday 25th June 2017,
• Friday 5th June 2018,
• Monday 10th June 2019,
• Monday 22nd June 2020.

How it works

Section 44B of the Holidays Act 2003 allows workers to sign an agreement with their employer to celebrate any public holiday on another day to which they both agree. The main focus of our campaign is Matariki but you can choose ANY day they like: The winter solstice, July 4th, Bastille Day, or even your own birthday.

Download our easy guide to changing your public holiday and talk it over with your employer.