Matariki 2026 will be celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand with the national public holiday falling on Friday 10 July. In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Matariki Festival runs from 4 July to 19 July, bringing people together to reflect, remember, share kai, celebrate and look ahead to the Māori New Year.
Matariki is a special time for whānau, remembrance, gratitude and new beginnings. It is also a beautiful moment to send aroha to someone you are thinking of, especially through thoughtful flowers or gifts with a connection to Aotearoa.
At Best Blooms, our Matariki flowers and gifts are inspired by ideas of aroha, reflection, remembrance and connection. You can also browse our wider range of New Zealand style flowers and gifts for native-inspired and Kiwiana floral designs.
Matariki marks the Māori New Year and is connected to the rising of the Matariki star cluster. This cluster is known around the world by different names, including Pleiades in Greek tradition, the Seven Sisters in English, and Subaru in Japan.
In te ao Māori, Matariki is much more than a star cluster. It is a time to pause, remember those who have passed, give thanks for the present, gather with whānau, share kai and look forward with hope to the year ahead.
It is also a season deeply connected with the natural world — the whenua, moana, rain, wind, food, harvest, and the wellbeing of people and communities.
Traditionally, Matariki is a time to come together in the colder months, once the harvest work has been done. Families gather to share food, kōrero, waiata, memories, whakapapa and hopes for the future.
This makes Matariki a meaningful time to send flowers or a gift when you want to say “I am thinking of you,” “we remember,” “with love,” or “may the year ahead bring hope.”
Flowers can be a gentle way to honour remembrance, send comfort, or celebrate new beginnings. A New Zealand-style floral gift, orchid arrangement, native-inspired design or Arohanui keepsake can be a thoughtful gesture for Matariki.
Matariki is also a special time for families to gather, create and share traditions together. For a hands-on activity with tamariki, you may enjoy this guide to Matariki activities for kids, which includes flax star weaving and other creative ideas for celebrating at home.
A woven flax star is a beautiful symbol to include because it connects naturally with the Matariki star cluster, whānau activities, and the wider idea of celebrating with materials from Aotearoa.
Photo credit: Mud Mates
Matariki is often spoken of as a mother star with her children, each connected with important parts of the natural world and human life. The meanings below are a simple introduction to the stars and their associations.
Because Matariki is a time of remembrance, reflection and renewal, the most suitable flowers and gifts are those that feel meaningful, warm and connected. This is not about grand commercial gifting; it is about sending aroha in a thoughtful way.
New Zealand-style flowers, orchid gifts, native-inspired textures, flax-style wraps, paua details, keepsake hearts and locally made chocolates can all feel appropriate when chosen with care.
For those remembering someone much loved, a floral gift can be a gentle tribute. For whānau and friends, it can be a way to send warmth and connection. For someone looking ahead to a new season, it can carry a message of hope.
Arohanui means great love, deep affection or much love, making this a beautiful sentiment for Matariki, especially when sending flowers to someone you care about, remembering loved ones, or marking the Māori New Year with warmth and thoughtfulness.
Our Arohanui orchid gift is one of our favourite Matariki floral gifts. It combines a long-lasting orchid vase arrangement with a keepsake Arohanui wooden heart and New Zealand-made chocolates, creating a gift with meaning, beauty and a distinctly local feel.
If you would like to send Matariki flowers in Auckland, choose designs that feel heartfelt, natural and connected to Aotearoa. Suitable Matariki gift ideas may include:
Our New Zealand-style flower range includes floral designs inspired by local textures, colours and presentation styles. These are a natural fit for Matariki gifting, while still being suitable for birthdays, sympathy, thank you gifts, remembrance and special occasions throughout the year.
Matariki is closely connected with the natural world, so it feels right to think about the flowers, foliage and textures of Aotearoa at this time of year. While not every New Zealand-style floral design uses native flowers, many are inspired by local landscapes, natural textures, flax, foliage, earthy colours and seasonal blooms.
If you enjoy learning about local flora, you may like to read more in our guide to New Zealand native flowers.
Best Blooms delivers Matariki flowers and gifts across Auckland. Whether you are sending aroha to whānau, remembering someone special, celebrating new beginnings or simply letting someone know they are in your thoughts, a meaningful floral gift can be a beautiful gesture.
View New Zealand Style Flowers and Gifts
Mānawatia a Matariki. May this season bring reflection, connection, remembrance and hope for the year ahead.
Jo-Ann Moss is the Creative Director at Best Blooms, an Auckland florist providing fresh flower delivery across the city. Jo-Ann writes about flower gifting, floral care tips, and how to choose the right bouquet for every occasion.
12 June 2026, 11:34 AM
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