Our first Matariki Public Holiday

Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. The first Matariki public holiday is Friday 24 June 2022.

The date Matariki is celebrated each year changes. For the purpose of the public holiday, the date it is observed has been determined up until 2052. It will always be on the Friday closest to the Tangaroa lunar phase (when the last quarter-moon rises) of Pipiri, a period which usually falls between June and July. This public holiday isn’t ‘Mondayised’ and the usual public holiday rules apply in terms of whether an employee is entitled to the holiday and pay.

If an employee ordinarily works on the Friday, and they work, they will paid time and a half for each hour worked, plus get a day in lieu (alternate day). If they don’t work, they are paid relevant daily pay. If the employee would not have ordinarily worked on that day, however they do work, they get paid time and a half for the hours worked, but do not get an alternate day. And finally, if it is not ordinarily a day the employee would work and they don’t work, they don’t get paid and the public holiday is not transferred to any other day.

The Te Pire mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki/Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill includes an explanation on the meaning and significance of Matariki to Māori. You can read about it here.