A top selection of festivals and events await visitors to New Zealand. It caters to a wide variety of interest and is conveniently happening on different times within the year to allow for personal limitations as to vacation schedules. These festivals and events provide a glimpse of the real New Zealand with each promising to give an unforgettable experience.
New Zealand’s national public holiday are as follows: New Year’s Day (including the next day) – January 1 and 2, Waitangi Day – February 6, Good Friday/Easter Monday, Anzac Day – April 25, Queen’s Birthday – first Monday of June, Labor Day – fourth Monday in October, Christmas Day – December 25 and Boxing Day – December 26. There are also various regional and local holidays in various places of New Zealand. Many festivals and shows that showcase the Kiwi talent, regional diversity and national achievements are happening almost simultaneously in the different places of New Zealand.
The Waitangi Day is the New Zealand National Day. It commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi which marks the coming together in friendship of the Maori people and the white European settlers. Under the terms of the Waitangi Treaty, the Maori people agreed to accept British sovereignty and were in turn granted citizenship and land rights.
The ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance of the deaths and suffering in war, the valor of fighting men and women and the ever-present hope of attaining lasting peace among the peoples of the world. It commemorates the landing at Gallipoli in 1915 of the Army Corps of Australia and New Zealand in a war that was impossible to win. It ultimately ended in defeat and the two countries had a massive loss of lives in relation to their population during the time.
New Zealander’s sense of community runs deep, thus social events and gatherings are plentiful. Some of the more famous annual events are Wellington’s Montana World of Wearableart Awards (Mid September), Napier’s Art Deco Weekend (mid February), Auckland’s Pacifica (mid March) and Marlborough’s Wine Festival (mid February). There are bound to be events happening in all regions of New Zealand every week. It can either be an agricultural or pastoral show which is considered specialty events in rural areas, an art exhibition, triathlon, orchestra recital, play or cultural performances.
The Montana World of Wearableart Awards is essentially combining art and the human form. The Napier’s Art Deco Weekend lets visitors savor the style of the world’s unique city (Napier) which was leveled by earthquake and fire in 1931 and rebuilt in the depths of the Great Depression. Pacifica Festival lets people sample the diverse sights, sounds and tastes of the Pacific Islands. The Marlborough Wine Festival is New Zealand’s premier Wine and Food Event where the highly acclaimed wines of the region and culinary delights of local chefs are experienced.
Local information centers can advise visitors of the current events happening in their respective regions. The timely information from them can make the arrangement of schedules much easier whether travelers intend to be participants or mere spectators. New Zealand is at its best during these festivals and worthwhile events.