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Most New Zealanders should have a good chance of seeing the Matariki star cluster over the long weekend, with clear skies forecast across much of the country, although cloud is expected to hamper viewing in parts of the eastern North Island.
Matariki is a star cluster located in the Taurus constellation that is seen on New Zealand’s northeastern horizon just before the rising of the sun, typically appearing in our skies in mid-winter.
Earth Sciences New Zealand’s 2026 Matariki cloud cover forecast shows the Matariki star cluster is visible on New Zealand’s eastern horizon just before the rising of the sun.
The forecast for each region covers this pre-dawn period, from 3am to 6am.
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,” said Earth Sciences New Zealand meteorologist Chester Lampkin.
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.
The upper North Island, including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and the Coromandel Peninsula, is expected to experience variable cloud on Friday morning, with cloudier conditions around Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. However, skies are forecast to clear by Saturday morning, providing ideal stargazing conditions across the region.
Auckland Council has also highlighted some of the region’s best locations for viewing the Matariki star cluster, including Shakespear Regional Park at the tip of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, where low light pollution and expansive eastern views provide ideal pre-dawn viewing conditions.
