Nelson Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of the first New Zealand Company settlers on February 1, 1842, aboard the Fifeshire. Today, it is used mainly for leisure and summer celebrations.

When is Nelson Anniversary Day?

Nelson Anniversary Day is observed on the Monday closest to February 1.

The following is the list of Nelson Anniversary Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Nelson Anniversary Day?

On February 1, 1842, the immigrant ship Fifeshire arrived at Nelson Harbour (Port Nelson) carrying about 350 settlers from England. Organized by the New Zealand Company, this was the first major wave of planned European settlement in the Nelson region.

The arrival of the Fifeshire marked the official beginning of the Nelson settlement, making it one of the earliest organized European communities in New Zealand.

Under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, Nelson became one of the original six provinces of New Zealand. Each province established an Anniversary Day to commemorate its founding or first European settlement.

For Nelson, February 1 was chosen, in honor of the Fifeshire's arrival in 1842. During the provincial period (1853–1876), Anniversary Days were important occasions for parades, community events, and civic pride.

In 1876, New Zealand abolished its provincial governments, replacing them with a centralized government and local councils.

Despite this, the tradition of provincial anniversary days was retained as regional public holidays, giving areas like Nelson a continuing sense of identity and history.

Nelson Anniversary Day continues to be tied to February 1, but the public holiday is observed on the Monday closest to that date. Today, the day is more about leisure and community gatherings rather than large formal celebrations.