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Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage is calling for applications from historians, researchers and non-fiction writers to produce stories about their communities. The Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grant offers successful applicants up to $12,000 to to support history research and writing. Applications close on 15 October.
One month remaining to apply for the Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grants
Join us at the National Library of NZ in person or online to hear archivist and author Jared Davidson discuss his latest book, 'Blood and Dirt: Prison Labour and the Making of New Zealand' and the role prisoners have played in the development of modern New Zealand. Takes place on Wednesday 4 October at 12.10pm.
Public History talk - Prison labour and the making of New Zealand
Celebrate from Sunday 1 – Saturday 7 October. This year’s theme for Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week is Fakatumau kae fakaakoi tau ‘gana ke mautu a iloga o ‘ta tuā. Discover more on the Ministry for Pacific Peoples website.
Tuvalu Language Week 2023
Following its triumphant premiere in 2019, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s acclaimed Hansel & Gretel returns for Christmas 2023. Loughlan Prior, with Claire Cowan and Kate Hawley, has created a magical world of memorable characters. Touring nationwide from 26 October to 09 December, learn more on the Royal New Zealand Ballet's website.
Book now for the RNZB's Hansel & Gretel production
Kismet, in association with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), Firefly Films, Caravan Carpark Films and Kingston Productions are proud to release the trailer for the highly anticipated local feature film Uproar - which will have its nationwide cinema release on October 5, hot on the heels of its selection and screening at the revered Toronto International Film Festival this September.
Trailer Unveiled For Aotearoa Feature Film Uproar
This year marks the centenary of Katherine Mansfield's death. In 1908, Mansfield left Edwardian provincial life in Wellington in search of a new literary life in England and Europe. Somewhere she could be, a place to settle and call home. She never forgot her early impressions and memories of Aotearoa and continually referenced it in her writings. Join the KM2023 Centenary team throughout 2023 to celebrate one hundred years of her creative legacy – check out their events page for a Mansfield event near you, or find inspiration in these ideas for how to get involved in your own way.
Katherine Mansfield Centenary events for October
The fortnightly Wellington Heritage Festival runs from 23 October to 5 November 2023. Book now for a wide range of events including free walking tours of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.
Pukeahu walking tours at the Wellington Heritage Festival
Local and international audiences have three brand new series to look forward to from talented New Zealand content teams, telling Aotearoa’s stories. Two series that debuted in 2023 have also secured a second year of support from Irirangi Te Motu| NZ On Air. One of the stand-out local drama hits of 2023, The Gone will return for a second season on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+. Learn more on NZ On Air's website.
NZ On Air announces three new drama series and two popular returning series
Following a triumphant BBC Proms debut in London, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New returns home for unmissable concert experiences in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Hamilton from 27 October.
Star conductor Gemma New leads NZSO for exciting concert line-up

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Home NZ Identity & Heritage Commemorations & anniversaries Current and future commemorations

Current and future commemorations

2023 – 2027

The New Zealand Government’s policy on the commemoration of historical anniversaries was refreshed in 2022. The policy no longer categorises anniversaries as Tier 1 or Tier 2 but takes a theme-based approach to tell connected stories across multiple anniversaries. Themes on the commemoration calendar may include anniversaries within a single year or across multiple years.

Te whakahaumaru i te pāpori
Creating a social safety net

  • 125th of old-age pension (2023)
  • 50th of Domestic Purposes Benefit (2023)
  • 50th of establishment of Accident Compensation Corporation (2024)

Te ahurea tuakiri o Aotearoa
Cultural identity

  • 125th anniversary of first movie shot in New Zealand (2023)
  • 75th of first wholly New Zealand-produced record, Blue Smoke (2024)
  • 50th of first novel by Māori author, Tangi (2023)

Mana Māori Motuhake
Māori rights and representation

  • 50th of Māori Land March (2025)
  • 50th of establishment of Waitangi Tribunal (2025)
  • 50th of Māori electoral option (2025)

Te hononga ki te Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa
New Zealand and the Pacific

  • 50th of New Zealand protests against French nuclear testing in the Pacific (2023)
  • 50th of start of dawn raids on Pacific peoples (2024)
  • 50th of Niue self-government (2024)
  • 125th of Cook Islands and Niue becoming part of New Zealand Realm (2026)
  • 100th of New Zealand administration of Tokelau (2026)

Ngā tohu ā-motu
National symbols

  • 125th of adoption of New Zealand flag (2027)
  • 50th of recognition of “God Defend New Zealand” as official anthem (2027)
  • Also 150th of the national anthem’s translation into te reo Māori (2028)
  • Also 50th of New Zealand Citizenship Act (2028)

Other anniversaries 2023 – 27  

2023

  • 100th of New Zealand’s claim to Ross Dependency

2025

  • 75th of New Zealand’s involvement in the Korean War
  • 75th of Commonwealth sporting event in Auckland

2026

  • 125th of establishment of world’s first government Tourist Department
  • 100th of establishment of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
  • 75th of 1951 waterfront dispute

2027

  • 150th of Education Act
  • 125th of the sinking of SS Ventnor
  • 50th of Bastion Point occupation
  • 50th of Human Rights Commission Act

Download the 2023—27 commemorations programme (PDF 34KB)

Commemorations and anniversaries page

Past commemorations 2014 - 2022

Updated on 24th January 2023