Holidays and events
Anzac Day
This is the story of Anzac Day, the ceremony marked on 25 April, the start of the Gallipoli conflict in the First World War. For New Zealanders it remains a solemn day, rich in tradition and ritual.
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Waitangi Day
Explore the origins of New Zealand's national day. Journey back to 1932 when the Treaty House and grounds were handed to the nation.
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Labour Day
Labour Day is no ordinary holiday. It celebrates the struggle for an eight-hour working day, a right that New Zealand workers had been among the first in the world to claim.
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The royal visit, 1953-54
Young Queen Elizabeth dazzled New Zealanders when she first visited in 1953. Explore the tour through photos, film, a detailed itinerary and excerpts from radio broadcasts.
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The New Zealand Centennial, 1940
The centennial celebrations of 1940 marked a century of European effort and progress. Maori history and the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi took a back seat.
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Dominion status
On 26 September 1907 the colony of New Zealand ceased to exist. It became, instead, a dominion within the British Empire. For a few years, some New Zealanders celebrated Dominion Day with parades and public events.
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Empire Day
Now almost forgotten, Empire Day was marked with parades, flag salutes and stirring speeches. Established in 1903, the day commemorated the long reign of Queen Victoria.
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Kiwi Christmas
A series of short articles about the meaning of Christmas for New Zealanders
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