Kōrero: Public holidays

Provincial anniversary days

This map shows the actual dates of provincial anniversaries in New Zealand. In practice, they are often celebrated on different dates – usually the closest Monday or Friday. The provinces were established as a way of governing New Zealand in the early days of British settlement, when poor communications and transport made centralised government difficult. They were abolished in 1876, but a sense of distinct identity persisted amongst people living in the regions, and the survival of provincial holidays (now known officially as ‘regional anniversary days’) is one manifestation of that.

Although the map above shows the actual date of the anniversary, the date on which they are observed is often different, as set by regional or city councils, and follows local customs.  

  • Auckland: the Monday closest to 29 January, often (but not always) the fourth Monday in January.
  • Taranaki: although the actual anniversary day is at the end of March, it is usually observed on the second Monday in March to avoid a clash with Easter.
  • Hawke’s Bay: observed on the Friday before Labour Day, giving the region a four-day holiday in mid to late October. The Hawke’s Bay A & P show is held in Hastings at this time, so the Friday is sometimes called ‘show day’.
  • Wellington: the Monday closest to 22 January, often (but not always) the third Monday in January.
  • Marlborough: observed on the first Monday after the Labour Day public holiday, in late October or early November.
  • Nelson: observed on the closest Monday to 1 February, sometimes in late January.
  • Canterbury: the areas of North and Central Canterbury observe what is known as ‘Christchurch Show Day’. As decided by Christchurch City, this is the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November.
  • South Canterbury: observed on what was Dominion Day, the fourth Monday in September.
  • Westland: generally the Monday nearest to 1 December (which means it is sometimes in November).
  • Otago: there is no easily determined single day of local observance for Otago; local authorities and employers try to agree on when to observe Anniversary Day, usually on the Monday nearest to 23 March.
  • Southland: normally observed on Easter Tuesday, giving Southlanders a longer Easter holiday than the rest of the country. Easter is in late March or April.
  • Chatham Islands (Rēkohu): The nearest Monday to 30 November (sometimes in December).

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Public holidays - Celebrating communities', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/interactive/32464/provincial-anniversary-days (accessed 29 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Nancy Swarbrick, i tāngia i te 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 19 Apr 2023