Matariki became New Zealand’s 11th public holiday in 2022 — the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day was officially observed in 1974. Every year since, employers have needed to include it in their holiday planning, ensure correct pay for employees who work on the day, and track the alternative holidays that arise from it.
This guide covers the 2026 date, the standard public holiday pay rules that apply, the cultural context that makes this holiday different from others, and the practical steps employers need to take.
The 2026 Date: Friday 10 July
In 2026, Matariki falls on Friday 10 July.
Unlike most public holidays that occur on fixed calendar dates (25 December, 6 February), the Matariki date is set each year by a Maramataka (Maori lunar calendar) advisory panel. The panel considers the actual rising of the Matariki star cluster (also known as the Pleiades) and sets the date accordingly.
Matariki always falls on a Friday. This was a deliberate policy decision when the holiday was introduced — to ensure a long weekend and consistent observance across all regions and industries.
Upcoming Matariki Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 July | Friday |
| 2027 | 24 June | Friday |
| 2028 | 14 July | Friday |
The dates vary because they are tied to the lunar calendar and the visibility of the Matariki star cluster from New Zealand. Always confirm the official date when planning your leave calendars — check the Employment New Zealand website or the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet announcement.
What Matariki Is
Matariki marks the rising of the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) and signals the start of the Maori New Year. It has been observed by Maori for centuries and holds both cultural and practical significance.
The three key aspects of Matariki:
- Remembrance — honouring those who have died since the last rising of Matariki
- Celebrating the present — gathering with whanau (family) and community
- Planning for the future — setting intentions for the year ahead, including planting, harvesting, and personal goals
For employers, Matariki is an opportunity to acknowledge te ao Maori (the Maori world) within the workplace. Some organisations mark the occasion with team events, cultural activities, or by closing for the day — which is increasingly common as awareness of the holiday grows.
Pay Rules: Same as Any Public Holiday
The pay rules for Matariki are the same as for every other New Zealand public holiday under the Holidays Act 2003. There are no special or different rules.
If the Employee Does Not Work
If Matariki falls on a day the employee would normally work (an “otherwise working day”), the employee is entitled to a paid day off. Pay them their relevant daily pay as if they had worked.
If the Employee Works
If an employee works on Matariki, they are entitled to:
- Time-and-a-half for every hour worked on the day
- An alternative holiday (a day in lieu) — a whole day off taken on another date
Both entitlements apply. You cannot substitute one for the other. Time-and-a-half alone is not sufficient — the alternative holiday must also be provided.
If It Is Not an Otherwise Working Day
If the employee does not normally work on Fridays, then Friday 10 July is not an otherwise working day for them. They are not entitled to the public holiday or any associated pay or alternative holiday.
Practical Steps for Employers
1. Include Matariki in Your Holiday Calendar
Add Matariki to your organisation’s holiday calendar at the start of each year. The date varies annually, so check the official announcement rather than assuming the same date as the previous year.
2. Communicate Early
Let your team know the date well in advance. Since Matariki falls in mid-year (June or July), it can be easy to overlook when planning is focused on the Easter and Christmas periods.
3. Plan Staffing for Industries That Cannot Close
For healthcare, hospitality, emergency services, and other industries that operate through public holidays, plan rosters early. Employees who work on Matariki get time-and-a-half and an alternative holiday — factor this into your labour cost planning.
4. Track Alternative Holidays
Every employee who works on Matariki accrues an alternative holiday that must be taken within 12 months. Track these balances and follow up with employees who have untaken alternative holidays approaching their expiry.
5. Consider Closing
Many New Zealand businesses now close for Matariki, treating it as an organisation-wide day off. This eliminates the complexity of managing who works and who does not, and signals genuine commitment to recognising te ao Maori in the workplace.
If you do close, communicate the decision clearly so employees know whether they are being given an additional day off or whether the day is being deducted from their annual leave balance.
Alternative Holidays and the Employment Leave Bill
Under the current Holidays Act, an alternative holiday for working on Matariki (or any public holiday) is a whole day, regardless of how many hours the employee worked.
The Employment Leave Bill 2026, currently before Parliament, will change this. Alternative holidays will accrue at 1 hour for every hour worked on the public holiday. So if an employee works 4 hours on Matariki, they will accrue a 4-hour alternative holiday rather than a full day.
The Bill has a 24-month transition period after Royal Assent, so the current whole-day rule will apply until the new system takes effect. For full details, see our guide to the Employment Leave Bill 2026.
Matariki and Leave Balance
Leave Balance includes Matariki in the New Zealand public holiday calendar, automatically updated each year when the official date is announced. The system tracks whether Matariki falls on an otherwise working day for each employee, calculates the correct pay rates for anyone who works, and manages alternative holiday balances.
Leave requests, balance checks, and team calendar views all happen in Slack or Microsoft Teams. At AUD $29/month flat for unlimited employees, it is the simplest way to stay on top of public holiday compliance across New Zealand and Australia.
For the full list of 2026 public holidays, see our New Zealand public holidays guide. For a broader understanding of the Holidays Act, see our Holidays Act employer guide.
leave emails? Track your employee's leave with Leave Balance
