More than 20 prominent Auckland buildings and landmarks will be lit up sunrise orange tonight to mark the beginning of Matariki.

They include the Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, the Library and the Town Hall, which will glow in celebration of the rise of the Matariki constellation and Te Tau Hou, the Maori New Year.

The orange and yellow colour of the lights has been specifically chosen for the festival to represent the sunrise, as the constellation rises in the north-east near the morning sun's horizon.

The festival begins tomorrow morning with a dawn karakia on Waiheke Island.