Matariki star cluster [📸 Lana Young]
The Matariki star cluster is visible on New Zealand's eastern horizon just before the rising of the sun. Earth Sciences New Zealand’s forecast for each region covers this pre-dawn period, from 3:00am to 6:00am.
The South Island will have the best chance for clear weather each night and early morning through the long holiday weekend. Conditions will improve for Auckland, Northland, the Waikato, and Taranaki by Saturday morning, and the remainder of the North Island, except Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, by Sunday.
“High pressure will be easing into the country this weekend, centred over the South Island, which will clear the sky and also drop the temperatures,” says Earth Sciences New Zealand meteorologist Chester Lampkin.
Conversely, eastern and lower North Island places such as Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, eastern Bay of Plenty, Wairarapa, and Wellington can expect cloudy skies for Matariki celebrations.
“Stargazers may wish to wrap up warmly, especially those in the upper and eastern South Island and Lakes region where temperatures will potentially get down to 0°C or colder.”
The Earth Sciences New Zealand Matariki viewing conditions forecast is updated at 3:30pm each day for the following morning.
See Matariki viewing conditions (all videos)
2026 Matariki Forecast for the hours between 3:00 am to 6:00 am from 10 July:
Upper North Island (including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Coromandel Peninsula)
- Early Friday morning: Cloudy periods, i.e. cloudy at times, mostly clear at other times. More clouds about the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. Temperatures ranging from 7 to 10°C in Whangārei and Auckland, to 1 to 6°C for the interior Waikato (e.g., Hamilton).
- Early Saturday morning: Ideal conditions, with a mainly clear sky. Temperatures ranging from 5-8°C in Whangārei and Auckland, -2 to 3°C for the interior Waikato (e.g., Hamilton).
East Coast (including Gisborne, Napier, Wairarapa)
- Early Friday morning: Cloudy with periods of rain, with a temperature between 8-10°C.
- Early Saturday morning: Cloudy with showers and drizzle. Expect a temperature between 8-10°C.
Western North Island (including New Plymouth, Whanganui)
- Early Friday morning: Cloudy sky, with a temperature between 8 to 10°C.
- Early Saturday morning: Cloud, mainly at the south coast and about the ranges, with more clear sky in the north toward New Plymouth and King Country. Expect a temperature between 6 to 8°C, even colder under clear sky.
Lower North Island (including Wellington)
- Early Friday morning: Cloudy sky, with a temperature between 5 to 7°C.
- Early Saturday morning: Another cloudy morning, with a temperature between 5 to 7°C.
Upper South Island (including Nelson, Blenheim)
- Early Friday morning: A partly to mostly clear night, with more cloud about the Marlborough Sounds. Temperature between 1 to 4°C.
- Early Saturday morning: A clear and starry night, with a temperature between 0 to 3°C.
Eastern South Island (including Christchurch, Timaru)
- Early Friday morning: Cloudy sky at the coast, with a few breaks in the clouds inland, expect a temperature between 0 to 4°C.
- Early Saturday morning: Partly cloudy and quite chilly, with clear sky inland and more cloud along the coast. Temperature from with a temperature between -1 to 3°C.
West Coast (including Greymouth, Hokitika)
- Early Friday morning: Clear sky and an ideal viewing morning. Breezy, with a temperature around with a temperature between 0 to 4°C.
- Early Saturday morning: Another clear sky, with a temperature between 1 to 4°C.
Lakes Region (including Queenstown, Wanaka)
- Early Friday morning: Clear and quite cold, with a temperature around -3 to 1°C.
- Early Saturday morning: Clear and another cold morning. Temperature around -3 to 1°C.
Lower South Island (including Dunedin, Invercargill)
- Early Friday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Expect a temperature between -2 to 3°C.
- Early Saturday morning: Partly cloudy to mostly clear sky, some patchy fog in valleys. Expect a temperature between 0 to 4°C.