Matariki is for everyone: Editor Nina Tucker

by Metropol | June 24, 2026 8:34 am

How lucky are we in Aotearoa, to have a holiday that is so uniquely ours?

Matariki, and the Māori New Year, is celebrated from 8 to 14 July, and is a special opportunity to reflect and rejoice with our beautiful country and its communities.

I’ll be cherishing the public holiday surrounded by my whānau and a large feast (paired with some delicious secret hangi sauce from North Cantabrian Angela Clifford, find the recipe on page 38). I’ll also be splitting my time between two exciting Matariki mākete at The Tannery (10 July) and The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora (10-11 July). Take your pick from the local Matariki celebrations on page 14.

For the 2026 holiday, the theme is Matariki herenga waka, which means Matariki is for everyone. It’s about community, inclusion, and togetherness – which is something we can never have enough of. (What else can’t we get enough of? Celestial style. Stars on everything. Turn to page 22).

Community isn’t hard to come by in Canterbury, so for Matariki we found some great local ways to support one or create your own. That could be by lending a paw and walking with ‘pawpose’; the campaign ‘Pawgust’ encourages New Zealanders to hit the pavement with your pooch and pals to raise money for the next generation of Blind Low Vision NZ guide dogs.

In Rangiora, I found a place where powerful formulas meet social purpose through handmade skin and body care brand Beauty & Bloom. Each day, a team of wonderfully unique individuals are building a community that’s only getting bigger and better (page 8).

Now, if you’re on the hunt for a new life hack to make your life better, try the viral 5 Second Rule from bestselling author and an expert in personal growth, Mel Robbins. I’ve always believed the mind is the beginning and end of everything, so I’ve started applying this trick-your-brain psychology to some of my current challenges (getting out of bed in winter). Deputy editor Tamara Pitelen breaks down Mel’s rule and the difference it can make on page 30.

This issue reminds you not to let your mindset drop with the temperature. Instead, lean into the meaning of Matariki (remembrance, celebrating the present, and looking to the future) and embrace the beauty around you.

Ka mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka mahuta ō tātou tūmanako ki te tau. When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead.

Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/matariki-is-for-everyone-editor-nina-tucker/

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