Northland Anniversary Day commemorates Governor Hobson's arrival in 1840 at the Bay of Islands. It reflects the region's key role in New Zealand's foundation and serves today as a regional summer holiday for leisure and community pride.

When is Northland Anniversary Day?

Northland Anniversary Day is observed on the Monday closest to January 29.

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

The History of Northland Anniversary Day?

Northland Anniversary Day is tied to the events of January 29, 1840, when Captain William Hobson, the first Governor of New Zealand, arrived at the Bay of Islands.

His arrival was a critical moment in New Zealand's colonial history, as it preceded the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840, between representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs. This made the Bay of Islands and wider Northland the birthplace of the nation, in terms of formal British colonization.

Under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, New Zealand was divided into provinces, each of which adopted an Anniversary Day to mark its foundation or early European settlement.

Northland did not exist as a separate province but was part of the Auckland Province. However, the northern region associated its anniversary with Hobson's January 29 arrival, rather than Auckland's settlement events, to reflect its own significance.

In 1876, provincial governments were abolished, but their Anniversary Days continued as regional public holidays. Northland maintained its connection to January 29 to mark its historic role in New Zealand's founding.

While the original historical event was on January 29, the holiday is now observed on the Monday closest to January 29, giving Northlanders a summer long weekend. This keeps the historical link while also making the day more practical for modern observance.