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Concept designs for a new National Erebus Memorial have now been submitted to the Ministry. Six anonymous design teams selected in December were asked to submit concept designs.
Six designs submitted for National Erebus Memorial
A small delegation of Māori and Pasifika youth ambassadors will be selected by Creative New Zealand to attend the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) in Hawai’i in June 2020.
Ka hao te rangatahi - fantastic Māori and Pasifika youth leadership opportunity
Owners of heritage buildings in regional areas are set to benefit from changes to Heritage EQUIP, the national earthquake upgrade incentive programme, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant Robertson has announced. Applications for the next funding round close on 22 March.
Better regional assistance for earthquake-prone heritage buildings
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
Four extraordinary choreographers , Thirty eight dynamic dancers, Four brand new works. Look to the future of dance as four new generation dance-makers redefine ballet for the 21st century. Experience ground-breaking, original choreographic works designed on the dancers of the RNZB, as we expand our repertory with the spirit of Aotearoa in March.
RNZB Choreographic Series
Nominations are now welcome for the 2019 Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement. Creative New Zealand is inviting nominations for writers who have made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand literature in the categories of non-fiction, poetry or fiction. Writers can also nominate themselves. $60,000 is awarded in each genre.
2019 Prime Minister's literary award open for nominations
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra celebrates summer with performances of four uplifting and unforgettable classical works for its biggest tour in 2019. Classical Journey, in association with Ryman Healthcare, will be performed in nine centres from Kerikeri to Blenheim in February.
NZSO’s big summer tour brings great music to nine centres in February
Antarctic Heritage Trust has announced the team that will be heading to the Antarctic Peninsula next month on their 2019 Inspiring Explorers' Expedition with Olympic kayaker Mike Dawson. The Inspiring Explorers’ Expedition programme is about encouraging young people to connect with the spirit of exploration. It’s about getting young people out of their comfort zone, off their devices and into the world around us.
Meet the 2019 Inspiring Explorers
Get up-close to some of China’s ancient imperial icons this summer at Te Papa. Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality offers you a rare opportunity to have an intimate and immersive encounter with some of the remarkable ancient terracotta warriors until 22 April.
Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality now open

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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