New Zealand Public Holidays
Any good travel guide will tell you to always check the national events and holidays of the location you’re trying to visit. This can help you avoid paying exorbitant event fees, make sure that you’re going to be able to find lodging available, and you also don’t want to miss out on an awesome event by just a couple days because of an inflexible travel itinerary!
So this week, as I have pretty firmly decided on a working holiday year in New Zealand, I’m taking a look into what sort of holidays and events are widely celebrated by the Kiwis that we don’t have in the US.
Waitangi Day – February 6th: Waitangi Day celebrates the signing of New Zealand’s founding document the Waitangi, in 1840. It has only been a national holiday since 1974 but it is currently celebrated all over the country. Celebrations include performances, music, food, and lights. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the document was signed, is the official hub of the celebrations and every year Māori tribes launch one of the world’s largest war canoes in commemoration.
Anzac Day – April 25: Anzac Day commemorates the day that the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed in Turkey during WWI. It sounds similar to Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day in the US. It’s a school holiday, there are often morning events, parades of service members and youth groups, and many people choose to lay wreaths on the graves of army veterans on this day. Some older people feel that the holiday has become commercialized and turned into a celebration rather than a day of remembrance, so very much like the US Memorial Day weekend. Shops are prohibited from opening before 1 pm in many places.
The Queen’s Birthday – June 1: It isn’t actually anyone’s birthday, but a day off from school and work the first Monday in June to celebrate the constitutional monarchy. I honestly didn’t know that New Zealand was under British control (apparently Canada also still celebrates the Queen’s birthday?), but you learn something new every day. People celebrate by having barbecues and watching sports. There are talks about replacing this national holiday with something else, such as Matariki Day (the Maori New Year).
On top of those national public holidays I came across some fun festivals as well!
Bluff Oyster and Food Festival – In May on the South Island, there’s a huge oyster festival with music, contests, and lots of delicious food.
Queenstown Winter Festival – At the beginning of the winter season in New Zealand, in June, Queenstown has a big festival with skiers, parades, and even fireworks!
Gisborne Wine and Food Festival – This is a must-do for me. Over Labor Day weekend in October, the East Coast of New Zealand holds a huge food and wine festival that you need to buy tickets for in advance.
Caroline Bay Carnival – For about 3 weeks in December there is music, dancing, rides, and a big firework display!
Cadbury Chocolate Festival – Apparently, Baldwin Street in Dunedin is the steepest street in the world! And once a year the city has a giant Jaffa ball race (Jaffa balls are an orange chocolate from NZ), among other chocolate-themed activities.
I’m sure there are plenty more that I have yet to discover. Do you know any major holidays or events in New Zealand that I should look forward to?
