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)
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
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.
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 June 2019