We have rounded up some wholesome budget-friendly activities for this Matariki long weekend.
Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year, a time of year in mid-winter when the cluster of stars appear in the night sky. Matariki is celebrated in many ways. It is a time to honour loved ones who have passed, and a time to enjoy a wholesome meal with family and friends. It is also a public holiday in New Zealand, and gives us a much-welcome long weekend. If you are seeking activities to do this Matariki long weekend alongside your celebrations, we have put together a list of 4 budget-friendly and free things you can do that will coincide with honouring this special celebration in Aotearoa..
The History and Meaning of Matariki
1. Star-Gazing
Grab your blankets, your flask of hot chocolate or tea, and trek outside. If you live in a city, you might need to escape to a park, beach, or take a road trip out of town so you can see the night sky with clarity. Bundle up outside, dive into conversation with your loved ones, and soak in the spattering of stars across the sky. Be sure to look out for the Matariki constellation in the sky!
2. Have a Dinner with Friends
One of the ways to celebrate Matariki is to enjoy a meal with loved ones. Ask each of your friends to bring a dish to share, set the table with your decorations of choice, such as candles or vases of flowers and enjoy a slow meal with friends.
3. Explore a Museum
Auckland War Memorial Museum and Te Papa Museum in Wellington are a great family-friendly place to visit this long weekend. Te Papa is hosting Matariki Whānau Day on Friday 28th June 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00pm, a day for you and your tamariki to learn about the Māori New Year and its traditions and histories through engaging workshops and discussions. Te Papa is free for everyone, and Auckland War Memorial Museum is free for Aucklanders.
4. Write Down your Goals for the Year
As Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year, this long weekend is a great time to write down your new dreams, goals and aspirations for the next 12 months. The New Year is a time to reflect on the past year, take the lessons learnt, and prepare for the next year to come. Write down your goals, and stick them up in a place you can see, such as your fridge or mirror, so you can keep reminding yourself of what you have to look forward to!
Be Sure to Compare your Bills!
This long weekend is a great time to take a few minutes to compare your bills. You can unlock savings that make a true difference to your budget simply by jumping onto one of our user-friendly platforms and comparing your bills. Compare broadband, power, mobile, and other finances within minutes, and make savings this Matariki long weekend.