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For all of the official advice and support to get us through COVID-19, visit the Government's website at https://covid19.govt.nz/
Unite against COVID-19
Creative New Zealand can now confirm its Emergency Response Package, announced on Friday in response to COVID-19, will include a first phase $16 million investment to buffer and support the arts community, with benefits extending well beyond the immediate crisis.
Creative New Zealand’s first phase COVID-19 response, $16m
News and media functions have been identified as an essential service during the COVID-19 response and Level 4 period. Media organisations should familiarise themselves with the following principles and guidelines.
Advice on news and media as an essential service during COVID-19 response
National Anzac Day Services at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park and Atatürk Memorial will not be going ahead this year due to the mass gathering restrictions in place in response to COVID-19. The unveiling of the Pacific Islands Memorial at Pukeahu, planned for 18 April, has also been postponed.
No National Anzac Day Services and Pacific Islands Memorial Unveiling Postponed
Do you want to see an outstanding Deaf or disabled artist recognised? How about an inclusive project celebrating community arts or a leader providing access to the arts for people in New Zealand? Nominations to this year’s Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards, presented annually by Arts Access Aotearoa, have been extended until 5pm Monday 20 April.
Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards 2020 call for nominations
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Manatū Taonga have decided to delay the next round of Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Oral History Awards – Piki Ake! Kake Ake! from a deadline for applications of 30 April to 15 October this year. This will allow oral historians to comply with current Ministry of Health guidelines to reduce unnecessary face to face contacts.
Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho, New Zealand Oral History Awards update
Watch this clip from the start of Taika Waititi's semi-autobiographical 2010 comedy 'Boy'. The film swiftly became New Zealand's biggest box office hit, and the song 'Poi e', revived for the soundtrack, also raced to the top of the charts. Waititi used his grandmother's house on the East Coast as the main set for the production, and hired local residents as extras. Part of Te Ara's web feature on humour.
Watch a clip from Taika Waititi's Boy comedy
In the early 21st century anxiety over the danger of Influenza A virus subtypes H5N1 (avian flu) and H1N1 (swine flu), and the Covid-19 coronavirus, has revived memories of New Zealand's worst disease outbreak, the lethal influenza pandemic that struck between October and December 1918. Image shows the emergency ambulances alongside the Wellington Town Hall during the 1918 flu pandemic.
NZHistory's feature on the 1918 influenza pandemic
The recent launch of the Ngati Porou treaty settlement documentary is significant for the iwi and for all New Zealanders as we further our understanding of the journey to Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlements, Bernadette Cavanagh CE Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage says.
Ngati Porou share their journey towards Te Tiriti settlement

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 webpage to view the full listing of events.

The following events for 2020 were authorised by the Government in 2014. Please note that this is an indicative list and may be subject to review.

2020 Tier 1 event

75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War (1945)

Tier 2 events

175th anniversary of the start of the Northern War

100th anniversary of New Zealand sending its first official team to the Olympics

100th anniversary of New Zealand attending the League of Nations and the 75th anniversary of signing the United Nations Charter

100th anniversary of the opening of the Alexander Turnbull Library

25th anniversary of New Zealand joining the World Trade Organisation.

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 2020