Matariki is just the tip of an iceberg brimming with celebration and ceremony from te ao Māori.

Te Rā Aro ki a Mātariki, the first distinctly New Zealand public holiday, has dawned across Aotearoa for the second year, with communities across the motu taking part in the celebrations.

The second celebration of Matariki as a national public holiday this Friday is being marked by increasing public support for the event, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Willow-Jean Prime said today.

Fires lit along the Hawke’s Bay coast from Cape Kidnappers to Tāngoio will be a signature Matariki celebration this month. The idea to encourage community-run fires across about 60 kilometres of beach from 5pm on July 15 has the approval of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, councils and iwi.

Matariki is right around the corner but as the country prepares to celebrate the second-ever public holiday, there are questions about whether businesses can too. Since the first Matariki holiday was announced, there were concerns commercialisation could take away from the core values of the holiday. But the man behind Matariki, Rangi Mātāmua, said for businesses wanting to celebrate the new year - it all comes down to intent.

Māori new year approaches and the rising of the Matariki star cluster graces the eastern horizon, it is a good time to think about what you and your whānau will be doing to celebrate, and to remember those who have passed away.

It's not the books, the awards, the accolades or the successful push to have Matariki made a public holiday that gives Rangi Mātāmua the most satisfaction.

Matariki is spiritual, as a time to remember those who passed, but also a cultural and social celebration. Ngāti Kahungunu is one of the largest iwi in New Zealand and has its own unique traditions around Matariki.

Matariki celebrations have gone global with an international festival to be held in the Netherlands. A group of waka experts will travel to Leiden to partake in the celebrations with Te Hono Ki Aotearoa, a waka carved by the late Sir Hekenukumai Busby, the star attraction.