Wellington Anniversary Day commemorates the January 22, 1840 arrival of the ship Aurora and the beginning of European settlement in Wellington. Today, it as a regional holiday, used mainly for summer leisure and regional pride.

When is Wellington Anniversary Day?

Wellington Anniversary Day is observed on the Monday closest to January 22.

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

The History of Wellington Anniversary Day?

Wellington Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of the first ship of New Zealand Company settlers, the Aurora. On January 22, 1840, the Aurora landed at Petone Beach (then called Pito-one) with around 150 settlers.

This event marked the beginning of organized European settlement in the Wellington region. Petone was initially chosen as the settlement site, but flooding and unsuitable land led to the relocation of the town to nearby Thorndon, which grew into Wellington city.

Under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, New Zealand was divided into provinces, and Wellington became one of them.

Each province established an Anniversary Day tied to its founding or early settlement. For Wellington, January 22, the date of the Aurora's arrival, was selected.

During the provincial years, Anniversary Days were marked with parades, civic ceremonies, and community gatherings.

In 1876, the provincial governments were abolished, replaced by a centralized government and local councils. However, the Anniversary Days continued as regional public holidays, preserving local history and identity.

Wellington Anniversary Day remained a day to honor the region's foundation.

While the historical event was on January 22, the holiday is now observed on the Monday closest to January 22 to create a long weekend. Today, it is less about formal commemorations and more about a summer holiday, with most people using it for beach trips, barbecues, and leisure.