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)
Updated on 24th January 2023