Northland Anniversary Day, aka Auckland Anniversary Day, is celebrated every year on the Monday closest to January 29. In 2024, it takes place on January 29. It is a public holiday that occurs in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand and is celebrated across the historic province of Auckland. The day also highlights the arrival of William Hobson, a British Royal Navy officer, who was appointed as the first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
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History and Significance
William Hobson was the first Governor of New Zealand. In 1837, Governor Bourke sent him to New Zealand for the first time. He was designated as Consul to New Zealand in December 1838. After two months, he received on February 14, 1839. He was sent out by Lord Normanby and was provided detailed instructions to establish a British colony in New Zealand.
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In 1842, Northland Anniversary Day was established. On January 26, Governor Hobson released a notice in the New Zealand Government Gazette that reads — “Saturday, the 29th instant, being the second anniversary of the Colony, His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that day to be held as a general holiday on which occasion the public offices will be closed.”
Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | January 24 | Monday |
| 2023 | January 30 | Monday |
| 2024 | January 29 | Monday |
| 2025 | January 27 | Monday |
| 2026 | January 26 | Monday |
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FAQs
New Zealand holds no fixed date of independence.
The New Zealand dollar.
Christopher Luxon.