2026 Matariki Cultural Experience

Celebrate Māori New Year on the Chatham Islands

7-night tour | 9th July – 16th July | Departing and returning to Wellington

Immerse yourself in Māori and Moriori traditions during this culturally rich tour and enjoy a 7-course Matariki degustation dinner plus a traditional Māori hāngī.

Explore Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge) through stories, and guided experiences.

A time of remembrance, gratitude, and renewal, aligned with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).

Reconnect with nature, culture, and community during this meaningful seasonal celebration.

During the Matariki Cultural Experience on Chatham Island, guests will be welcomed into the heart of local culture and tradition. Guided by knowledgeable locals, you’ll explore the spiritual significance of Matariki and its connection to the Chatham Islands’ unique seasonal rhythms. Take part in meaningful cultural moments that honour remembrance, give thanks for the present, and look forward to the promise of a new year.

One of the highlights of the tour is a guided star gazing session, where guests will learn about the seven main stars of the Matariki cluster—each with its own meaning and influence. Traditionally, Māori looked to the brightness and clarity of these stars to forecast the coming year. For example, Tupuānuku is connected to food grown in the ground, Tupuārangi to food from the sky, and Waitā to the ocean. Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is the star of wishes, representing hopes and aspirations for the year ahead. Under the vast
and unpolluted skies of the Chathams, this experience is both breathtaking and deeply grounding.

As part of the experience, you’ll gather with the community to share kai and kōrero (food and stories), connect with the land, and gain a deeper understanding of how the (Māori lunar calendar) influences daily life, planting, and harvesting practices.

Whether you’re stargazing, enjoying traditional cuisine, or listening to stories passed down through generations, this journey offers a profound and personal insight into the soul of Aotearoa’s easternmost islands.

Accommodation

Enjoy your 7-night stay at Hotel Chathams, located right on the waterfront in Waitangi, and the charming Forget Me Not Suites, just a 60-second walk away. Both offer a range of room types to suit your comfort. As always with our tours, there’s no single supplement – your own room comes at no extra cost. Click here to view Hotel Chatham’s rooms

All accommodation options are warm and comfortable, each with a walk-in ensuite. Hotel Chathams rooms feature wall-mounted radiators for cosy heating, while Forget Me Not Suites are equipped with heaters to keep you snug.

The First Floor Executive Suites and Forget Me Not Suites offer king-sized beds, while the Bayview Rooms feature queen-sized beds.

Meals

All meals are included, featuring:

• Daily cooked and continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• A selection of Central Otago wines with dinner
• A 7-course Matariki degustation dinner celebrating local flavours
• A traditional Māori hāngī experience
• A relaxed farm shed morning or afternoon tea

What’s Included

• Return airfares from Wellington to the Chatham Islands (valued at $1,300 per person)
• Airport transfers on the Chatham Islands
• Services of a knowledgeable local guide
• Landowner access and Department of Conservation permit fees
• Voluntary Chatham Island Visitor Levy ($25 per person)
• Half-day fishing experience
• Complimentary Wi-Fi at Hotel Chathams
• Complimentary hotel laundry facilities are available for guest use when not in use by hotel staff.

Cost

Just pack your bag – everything’s taken care of, with the exception of barista coffees, personal purchases, and any alcohol beyond what’s served with dinner.

• Hotel Chathams – Executive Suites (1st floor): $6,400 per person
• Hotel Chathams – Bayview Rooms (ground floor): $6,200 per person
• Forget Me Not Suites: $6,400 per person

Fitness & Health Requirements

This tour requires a moderate level of fitness:

• Walks of up to 45 minutes across uneven farmland and rocky paths
• Ability to climb stairs to board the fishing boat
• Ability to manage your own luggage at airport check-in

If you experience a medical event within six weeks of departure, you must inform us of the medical event and medical clearance may be required. The hospital on island is a small 3 bed hospital and should you require hospitalisation while on tour, evacuation to mainland New Zealand may be necessary via air ambulance.

Terms & Conditions

• A $1,500 non-refundable deposit secures your place
• Final balance due 7 weeks before departure
• If you cancel and we are able to fill your place, your payments will be refunded
• In the event that Air Chathams cancels a flight due to weather conditions, we reserve the right to adjust the tour dates accordingly
• If we cancel the tour, you will receive a full refund
• We highly recommend domestic travel insurance to cover your cancellations or weather-related delays.