What the official record says
This Act may be cited as— Te Rā o Matariki Act ; or The Matariki Day Act . This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent. The purpose of this Act is to make provision for the observance of Matariki— as the Māori New Year; and as a public holiday. Matariki must be observed as a public holiday throughout New Zealand on the day of the next new moon following the day in which it rises in the months of May or June. The Minister of Māori Affairs, after consultation with such persons having knowledge and experience in tikanga and astronomy as the Minister considers appropriate, may from time to time, by notice in the , declare the day on which Matariki is to be observed. The Holidays Act 2003 is amended in the manner indicated in the Schedule.