It's official! New Zealand is getting a new public holiday starting in 2022 It’s official! New Zealand is getting a new public holiday to celebrate Matariki! The first Matariki public holiday will be on June 24, in 2022, the Prime Minister has announced. Jacinda Ardern announced the first date today, and said it would move around in following years to fit in with the rising of Matariki - a cluster of stars that rises mid-year and marks the Māori New Year. A new panel of experts on tikanga and astronomy would set the dates for future years – but it is likely to always be on a Friday or a Monday.