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Significant investment from two government funds will help reopen the Rotorua Museum, provide better care for and access to the Museum’s collection of taonga, and create jobs, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today.
Government investment to help reopen Rotorua Museum
A double-hulled canoe will depart Tahiti next week and navigate to Aotearoa using the stars, moon and currents to guide its voyage, announced Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Chief Executive Bernadette Cavanagh. We are honoured to have the Tahitian vessel Fa’afaite travel to New Zealand to be part of the flotilla in the Tuia 250 Voyage – an event where we recognise 250 years since the first onshore encounters between Māori and Pākehā.
Crew to sail to NZ from Tahiti using celestial navigation
Creative NZ is inviting public comment and feedback on their response to 'A Profile of Creative Professionals', the research seeking to better understand career sustainability in the arts and creative industries.
Help us shape the direction for supporting sustainable careers in the arts
A new immersive art exhibition has opened at Te Papa. The installation, Finale: Bouquet, by Australian artist Nike Savvas is a major new site specific commission for the Toi Art Threshold Gallery on Level 4.
Te Papa’s Toi Art opens multi-sensory, kinetic installation
It’s back-to-back Beethoven in August when the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performs all nine of the great composer’s symphonies in Auckland and Wellington.
Binge on the best of Beethoven with the NZSO in August
Works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe and Andrea Schermoly. The stage will be flooded with colour and light. Choreographers from three continents, sharing New Zealand stages this winter from 16 August to 15 September. You won’t want to miss a step.
RNZB's Bold Moves in August
Read a new Discussion Paper which provides a perspective on how to better reflect culture in the Living Standards Framework. It was jointly commissioned by the Treasury and the Ministry. Submissions on the paper can be made to the Treasury (cea@treasury.govt.nz) and close on 30 September 2019.
Culture, Wellbeing and the Living Standards Framework: A Perspective
Heritage New Zealand has revamped its Archaeological Reports Digital Library which currently contains over 7500 reports dating from the 1950s until today, with more reports being added all the time. These reports have been available on request since 2007; however the upgrade now means that searching the library is far easier and reports are able to be directly accessed.
Revamped Digital Library launched
In 2019, Aotearoa New Zealand will acknowledge 250 years since the first onshore meetings between Māori and Europeans. Tuia – Encounters 250 (Tuia 250) is the national commemoration that recognises this milestone in our history. This is a time to share, debate and reflect – to enable a more balanced telling of our stories, so that we speak openly and respectfully about our history. Events and activities in regions right around the country will help New Zealanders to join the discussion.
Join the journey - Tuia 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)

NZHistory - The legacy of war

WW100 - New Zealand at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference

MCH media release - Youth debate to mark centenary of the Treaty of Versailles

2019 Tier 2 events

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

NZHistory - 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

University of Otago - 150th anniversary celebrations events

MCH news item - Otago University – New Zealand’s first founded 150 years ago

100th anniversary of New Zealand joining the International Labour Organisaton

Mentioned in MCH media release - Youth debate to mark centenary of the Treaty of Versailles

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

NZHistory - Poll tax on Chinese immigrants abolished

Te Ara - Poll tax certificate

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 22nd July 2019