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The Armistice on 11 November 1918 may have ended the First World War, but NZ’s journey back to peacetime society would be a long one. To support the returning soldiers and nurses, the government set up a programme of training, loans, land settlements, pensions and rehabilitation schemes. For those who survived, their journeys back took many different routes. The trauma they experienced affected both them and their families in untold ways. These people and their stories are an important part of our history, and shaped who we are.
WW100's Finding our way back resource
Kiwi musical Daffodils has taken over one million dollars at the New Zealand box office and, now in its fourth week of release, remains in the top ten chart of films currently in theatrical release. Of the 150 films released in New Zealand this year Daffodils is the eleventh highest grossing film of the year to date and the highest grossing independent (non-studio) film. The film’s soundtrack also debuted at number one on iTunes NZ and remains in the ‘Official Top 20 NZ Albums’.
Daffodils Hits a Million Dollars at the NZ Box Office
The New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion was the only battalion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to return to New Zealand as a complete unit and on 6 April 1919, thousands turned out to give its men a rousing welcome, says Dr Monty Soutar, Senior Māori Historian Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. “This Saturday we commemorate the day when the men of the Pioneer Battalion returned home on the steamer Westmoreland and were welcomed by people lining the streets of Auckland and packed into the Auckland Domain,” Monty Soutar said.
New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion – commemorating 100 years since the return home on 6 April 1919
A design that includes a walkway projecting outward to the horizon has been selected for the new National Erebus Memorial after recommendation by a Design Selection Panel, announced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
National Erebus Memorial design selected
Get set to journey to a galaxy far, far away in just four weeks when the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents the Star Wars: Film Concert Series in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.
Star Wars in Concert
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage is now accepting applications for the 2019 New Zealand Oral History Awards. The closing date is fast approaching – Friday 3 May 2019.
New Zealand Oral History Awards 2019
Creative New Zealand reflects on the power of the arts and the impact creative expression can have on our individual and collective wellbeing. Turn to your creative skills. Take comfort from them. Share them if you think it would help others.
He waka eke noa – we are all in this together
This year in 2019, New Zealand will mark 250 years since the first meetings between Māori and Europeans during James Cook and the Endeavour's 1769 voyage to Aotearoa New Zealand. A national commemoration, Tuia – Encounters 250, will acknowledge this pivotal moment in our nation’s history as well as the exceptional feats of Pacific voyagers who reached and settled in Aotearoa many years earlier.
Tuia – Encounters 250

Get the full story

Kāinga Te tuakiri, te taonga tuku iho o Aotearoa Ngā whakamaharatanga me ngā huritau

Commemorations & anniversaries

In 2014, the Government updated its earlier commemorations policy, agreed in 2009/10 in recognition of the need for a co-ordinated approach between agencies to mark particularly important events and anniversaries, and to ensure better forward planning for these big events.

The updated commemorations policy categorises these anniversaries as either Tier 1 or Tier 2 national events. The Tier 1 list consists of anniversaries of events which had a significant impact on the nation as a whole or on the pattern of New Zealand life; an example being the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

The Tier 2 list is made up of anniversaries of events which were highly important but not of the same nation-changing magnitude. Nationally-significant anniversaries, whether Tier 1 or Tier 2, typically refer to anniversaries that are a multiple of 25 (25th, 50th, 75th, 100th anniversaries, and so on). 

Visit the Commemorations 2014-2020 page to view the full listing of events.

The following events for 2019 were authorised by the Government in 2014. Please note that this is an indicative list and may be subject to review.

2019 Tier 1 events

250th anniversary of the first meetings of Māori and Europeans between James Cook and Tahitian chief and navigator Tupaia. Visit our Tuia - Encounters 250 website for more details.

100th anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles and peace celebrations (1919)

NZ History - The legacy of war

Te Ara - Pen used for signing the Treaty of Versailles

2019 Tier 2 events

200th anniversary of the first planting of fruit frees and wine grapes

NZ History - New Zealand's first grapevines planted?

Te Ara - History of viticulture in New Zealand

150th anniversary of the founding of New Zealand's first university (University of Otago)

100th anniversary of New Zealand joining the International Labour Organisaton

75th anniversary of the abolition of the poll tax on Chinese migrants

NZ History - Poll tax on Chinese immigrants abolished

Te Ara - Poll tax certificate

Centenary of the First World War commemorations

Dates for key New Zealand domestic and overseas commemorative and ceremonial events which will be marked during the First World War centenary from 2014 to 2019 were announced in 2013. Relevant media releases include the following:

First World War centenary military commemoration dates announced

WW100 First World War Centenary Programme announced

Additional commemorations

Details about various New Zealand historic events and anniversaries can be found on our NZHistory and Te Ara —The Encyclopedia of New Zealand websites.

NZHistory

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Raa Maumahara National Day of Commemoration will be held on October 28th each year. The first inaugural event took place in 2017. Visit Te Puni Kōkiri's website for more details about Te Pūtake o te Riri | Wars and Conflicts in New Zealand Fund.

Te Pūtake o te Riri | Wars and Conflicts in New Zealand Fund

Updated on 21st February 2019