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Story: Public holidays

New Zealand Christmas: the beach

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New Zealand Christmas: the beach

Settlers arriving in New Zealand from the northern hemisphere found celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer very strange at first. Many winter customs were retained, but holidaymakers also took advantage of the warm weather. The beach was an attractive place to be on a hot Christmas Day, and this group photographed paddling and swimming at Pōhara Beach, Golden Bay, on Christmas Day 1917 were clearly enjoying themselves.

Using this item

Nelson Provincial Museum, A. R. Jones Collection

Reference: 44

Permission must be sought from Nelson Provincial Museum before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Nancy Swarbrick, Public holidays – Easter, Christmas and New Year, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/32456/new-zealand-christmas-the-beach (accessed 3 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 14 March 2012.