Today marks the shortest day of the year in Aotearoa;the winter solstice. Many Kiwis are adjusting sleep routines as part of the Matariki long weekend celebrations, which also include traditional rituals, whānau gatherings, and cultural events tied to the Māori New Year. New Zealand’s shortest day of the year ; the winter solstice ; typically falls on June 21st each year. In 2025, the shortest day is: Saturday, 21 June 2025. On this day, New Zealand experiences the least amount of daylight ; with the sun rising late and setting early. After the solstice, daylight hours gradually begin to increase as the country moves toward spring.
The solstice also coincides with the Matariki season, which celebrates the Māori New Year and the rising of the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades).
