Holiday Details
- Holiday Name
- Northland Anniversary Day
- Country
- New Zealand
- Date
- January 26, 2026
- Day of Week
- Monday
- Status
- 23 days away
- About this Holiday
- Northland Anniversary Day is a local holiday in New Zealand
Northland Anniversary Day
New Zealand • January 26, 2026 • Monday
23
Days
08
Hours
51
Mins
11
Secs
until Northland Anniversary Day
Pacific/Auckland timezone
About Northland Anniversary Day
Also known as: Northland Anniversary Day
Te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau: He Whakanui i te Hītori me te Tuakiri o te Raki
Ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau, e mōhiotia ana i te reo Pākehā ko Northland Anniversary Day, he rā whakahirahira i runga i te maramataka o te motu, ina rā mo te hunga e noho ana i te taha ki te raki o Tāmaki Makaurau. He rā tēnei e whakakotahi ana i te hītori o te nōhanga tuatahi o te Pākehā ki Aotearoa me te tuakiri motuhake o te fegion o Te Tai Tokerau. Ehara noa iho i te rā whakatā roa, engari he wā ki te hoki whakamuri ki te tau 1840, i te wā i tau mai ai a William Hobson ki Pēwhairangi, he takuira i huri ai te rere o te hītori o tēnei whenua ake tonu atu.
He mea motuhake tēnei rā i roto i te ao o ngā rā whakanui ā-rohe o Aotearoa. Ahakoa he maha ngā rohe e whakanui ana i te rā i whakatūria ai ō rātou kawanatanga ā-rohe, ko te rā o Te Tai Tokerau e hono tika ana ki te taenga mai o te māngai o te Karauna o Ingarangi, a William Hobson. Ko tōna taenga mai ki te Bay of Islands te tīmatanga o te huringa nui, i arahi ai ki te hainatanga o Te Tiriti o Waitangi i muri tata mai. No reira, he rā tēnei e kapi ana i te tautohetohe, i te hītori, me te whakanui i te noho tahi o te tangata ki tēnei wāhanga ataahua o te ao.
I ēnei rā, ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau he tohu mo te tīmatanga o te tau hou me te mutunga o te hararei raumati nui. Mo te hunga o te Raki, he wā tēnei ki te whakatā i te taha o te takutai moana, ki te hī ika, ki te pārekareka ki te mahana o te rā, me te whai wāhi ki ngā huihuinga hapori e whakaatu ana i te wairua manaakitanga o te rohe. He rā e whakanuia ai te ataahua o te whenua, mai i te kōhatu o Kaiwaka ki te pito ki runga rawa ki Te Reinga.
Āhea te rā whakatā i te tau 2026?
Mo te tau 2026, ka whakanuia te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau i te rā e whai ake nei:
Te Rā: January 26, 2026 Te Rā o te Wiki: Monday Te Wā e Toe ana: E 23 ngā rā e toe ana tae noa ki te rā whakatā.
He rā nuku tēnei (variable date). Ahakoa ko te rā tonu o te taenga mai o Hobson ko te 29 o Kohitātea (January), e ai ki te ture o Aotearoa, ka whakanuia ngā rā whakamaharatanga ā-rohe i te Rāhina e tata ana ki te rā tūturu. He mea tēnei kia whiwhi ai ngā kaimahi me ngā whānau i te wiki roa (long weekend). Ki te taka te rā 29 ki te Tūrei, ki te Wenerei, ki te Paremetu rānei, ka nukuhia ki te Rāhina o mua atu. Ki te taka ki te Paraire, te Rāhoroi, te Rātapu rānei, ka nukuhia ki te Rāhina e whai ake nei.
Te Hītori me te Takenga mai o te Rā
He hītori whakahirahira, he hītori matatini hoki tō te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau. He rerekē tōna ara i tō te nuinga o ngā rohe o Aotearoa. I te tīmatanga, i whakanui a Te Tai Tokerau i te rā kotahi me te Porowini o Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland Province). Ko te 29 o Kohitātea te rā i tau mai ai a William Hobson ki Pēwhairangi i te tau 1840. I taua wā, he wāhanga nui a Te Tai Tokerau no te Porowini o Tāmaki Makaurau, no reira i whakanui tahi rātou i taua rā.
Heoi, i te tau 1960, ka puta te Waitangi Day Act i te Kāwanatanga. I hoatu te mana ki ngā porowini ki te whakakapi i tō rātou rā whakamaharatanga ki te Rā o Waitangi (te 6 o Hui-tanguru). I te tīmatanga, kīhai a Te Tai Tokerau i whakaae ki tēnei tuku. Engari, i te tau 1963, ka whakarerekētia te ture, ā, ka hoatu ki te rohe tōna ake rā whakamaharatanga tūturu i te 6 o Hui-tanguru. Mo tētahi wā, ko te Rā o Waitangi me te Rā o Te Tai Tokerau he mea kotahi.
I te wā ka whakatauria te Rā o Waitangi hei rā whakatā ā-motu mo te motu katoa, ka ara ake te pātai: he aha te mahi mo te rā whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau? Kāore i taea te whai i ngā rā whakatā e rua i roto i te wiki kotahi, no reira ka whakatauria kia whakahokia te rā o Te Tai Tokerau ki te 29 o Kohitātea, te rā taketake i whakanuia ai te taenga mai o Hobson.
Ko wai a William Hobson?
He tangata nui a William Hobson i roto i ngā kōrero o Aotearoa. He āpiha ia no te Tūtaua o Ingarangi (Royal Navy) i tukuna mai e te Kuini o Ingarangi ki te rapu i te mana i runga i tēnei whenua. I tōna taenga mai ki Pēwhairangi i te 29 o Kohitātea 1840, i pānuitia e ia ko ia te Kāwana Tuarua o Aotearoa (i raro i te mana o New South Wales i taua wā).
I muri tata mai i tōna taenga mai, ka tīmata te mahi tahi me ngā rangatira Māori ki te whakahiato i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ahakoa i noho ia ki te Raki mo tētahi wā poto noa i mua i tōna nekehanga ki te tonga ki te whakatū i te tāone o Tāmaki Makaurau hei pūtake mo tōna kāwanatanga, ko tōna taenga tuatahi mai ki Te Tai Tokerau te tohu o te hononga hou i waenga i te Karauna me te Māori.
Ngā Tikanga me te Whakanui i te Rā
He hapori kanorau a Te Tai Tokerau, ā, ko te ahua o te whakanui i tēnei rā he whakaata i taua kanorau. Ahakoa kāore he tikanga kotahi e whāia ana e te katoa, he maha ngā kaupapa e tupu ana i te rohe:
1. Ko te Hākinakina me te Rēhia
I te mea kei waenganui tēnei rā i te raumati, ko te moana te pūtake o te nuinga o ngā mahi. He maha ngā rērehi poti (regattas) e tū ana i te Bay of Islands, i Whangārei, me ngā whanga ririki o te raki. He wā tēnei mo ngā whānau ki te haere ki te puni (camping) ki ngā wāhi rongonui pēnei i te Bay of Islands, Te Tai Tokerau (West Coast), me ngā ra takutai o te Rawhiti pēnei i Matapōuri me Whananaki.2. Ngā Huihuinga Hapori
He maha ngā tāone ririki e whakatū ana i ngā huihuinga gala me ngā maakete. He wā tēnei mo ngā ringatoi o te rohe ki te whakaatu i ā rātou mahi, mai i te whakairo rākau ki te raranga kete, me te hokohoko i ngā kai o te rohe pēnei i te hēki moana me te kumara o te Raki.3. Te Hokinga ki ngā Whakapapa
Mo te Māori o te Raki (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa), he wā tēnei e hoki ai te tangata ki ō rātou marae. Ahakoa ehara te 29 o Kohitātea i te rā Māori tūturu, ko te wiki roa he whai wāhitanga nui mo ngā hui-ā-whānau me te kōrero mō ngā hītori o te iwi.4. Te Noho Whakatā
Mo te nuinga o ngā kaimahi, ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga he rā noa ki te "whakatā i te ngenge". I muri i te pukumahi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou, ko tēnei te whai wāhitanga whakamutunga ki te whakatā i mua i te hokinga mai o ngā tamariki ki te kura i te tīmatanga o te marama o Hui-tanguru.Te Hiranga o te Rohe: Te Tai Tokerau
He aha te take i rerekē ai Te Tai Tokerau ki te toenga o te motu? Ko Te Tai Tokerau te pūtake o te motu, e ai ki ngā kōrero tuku iho a te Māori. Ko te hiku o te ika a Māui. Koinei hoki te wāhi i tīmata ai te tokomaha o te nōhanga o te Pākehā.
He rohe tēnei e kapi ana i ngā hītori maha:
Waitangi: Te wāhi i haina ai te Tiriti. Kororāreka (Russell): Te tāone matua tuatahi o Aotearoa, i mōhiotia i mua ko te "hell hole of the Pacific". Kerikeri: Kei reira te whare kōhatu tawhito rawa i Aotearoa (Stone Store). Hokianga: Te wāhi i tau mai ai a Kupe, te kaihura tuatahi.Ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga he tohu i tēnei mātotoru o te hītori. Ina rā, he rohe tēnei e ora tonu ana ngā kōrero o nehe i roto i ngā mahi o ia rā. Ko te whakanui i te rā o Hobson he whakamaharatanga ki te ara roa kua hāhaia e te iwi o tēnei rohe.
He rā whakatā tūmatanui tēnei?
Ae, ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau he rā whakatā tūmatanui (public holiday) i raro i te ture o Aotearoa (
Holidays Act 2003). Heoi, he rā whakatā ā-rohe noa iho, ehara i te rā whakatā ā-motu.Ko wai ka whiwhi i tēnei rā whakatā?
Ko te hunga katoa e mahi ana i roto i te rohe o Te Tai Tokerau (mai i te taha raki o te piriti o Wellsford tae atu ki te Reinga). Ki te mahi koe i Tāmaki Makaurau, kāore koe e whiwhi i tēnei rā, no te mea he rā rerekē tō Tāmaki (ko te nuinga o te wā he rā kotahi, engari he ture rerekē i ētahi wā).He aha ngā mea e tūwhera ana, e kati ana rānei?
Ngā Kura me ngā Tari Kāwanatanga: Ka kati katoa ēnei i tēnei rā. Ngā Pakihi me ngā Hokomaha: Ko te nuinga o ngā hokomaha (supermarkets) me ngā toa hokohoko ka tūwhera, engari ka rerekē pea ngā haora mahi. Ngā Whare Kai me ngā Pae: Ka tūwhera te nuinga i ngā wāhi tūruhi pēnei i Paihia me Russell, engari kia mahara, ka tapiritia pea he utu taapiri (15% surcharge) i te rā whakatā tūmatanui hei utu i ngā kaimahi.- Ngā Ture Utu: Mo ngā kaimahi e mahi ana i tēnei rā, me utu rātou ki te "time and a half" (kotahi me te hāwhe te utu), ā, ka whiwhi hoki rātou i tētahi rā whakatā i tētahi atu wā (alternative holiday/day in lieu) ki te mea ko te Rāhina he rā mahi noa mo rātou.
Te Hononga ki te Rā o Waitangi
He mea nui kia mārama ki te hononga me te rerekētanga i waenga i te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau me te Rā o Waitangi. I te mea he tata rawa ngā rā e rua (29 o Kohitātea me te 6 o Hui-tanguru), he maha ngā wā ka whakaarohia he wiki kotahi te roa o te whakanui i te Raki.
Ahakoa ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga he mea whakanui i te taenga mai o te mana o Ingarangi (Hobson), ko te Rā o Waitangi he rā whakahirahira ake mo te taha ki te motu katoa, e whakanui ana i te hainatanga o te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mo te hunga o Te Tai Tokerau, ko tēnei wā o te tau te wā tino pukumahi, i te mea ka tau mai te tini me te mano ki te rohe mo ngā kaupapa e rua.
He Whakarāpopototanga
Ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga o Te Tai Tokerau he nui noa atu i te rā noa hei whakatā i te mahi. He rā tēnei e whakaatu ana i te hītori whakahirahira o te Raki, te wāhi i tūtaki ai te Māori me te Pākehā i roto i te tūmanako me te tautohetohe. He rā hei whakanui i te raumati, te moana, te whānau, me te tuakiri motuhake o tētahi o ngā rohe tino ataahua o Aotearoa.
Ahakoa ko koe he tangata whenua no te Raki, he manuhiri rānei e haere ana ki te taha moana, ko te Rā Whakamaharatanga i te tau 2026 he wā ki te titiro ki te pūtake o tēnei iwi, me te whakanui i te huarahi kei mua i a tātou. Kia pai tō rā whakatā, kia whai wā hoki ki te rongo i te wairua o Te Tai Tokerau.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northland Anniversary Day in New Zealand
Northland Anniversary Day will be observed on Monday, January 26, 2026. There are currently 23 days remaining until the region celebrates this occasion. The holiday is traditionally observed on the Monday closest to the actual anniversary date of 29 January to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a full long weekend. This 'Mondayisation' policy is a common practice for regional anniversaries across New Zealand, allowing for better planning of community events and travel throughout the Northland district.
Yes, it is an official public holiday, but specifically for the Northland region of New Zealand. While it is not a nationwide holiday like Christmas or Waitangi Day, businesses, schools, and government offices within the Northland boundaries generally close for the day. Employees who work in the region are entitled to the day off with pay, or if they are required to work, they typically receive time-and-a-half pay and a replacement day off, in accordance with New Zealand employment law.
The day commemorates the arrival of William Hobson in the Bay of Islands in 1840. Hobson later became the first Governor of New Zealand. His arrival in Pēwhairangi, Te Tai Tokerau, was a pivotal moment in the colonial history of the country, marking the beginning of formal British governance. While the anniversary celebrates the establishment of the province, it specifically focuses on this early maritime arrival and the subsequent role Northland played as the initial seat of colonial administration before the capital was moved further south to Auckland.
Northland's anniversary has a complex history involving Waitangi Day. Originally, the region shared the same anniversary as Auckland. In 1963, Northland was granted permission to observe its anniversary on 6 February, which is Waitangi Day. However, when Waitangi Day was eventually declared a national public holiday for the entire country, Northland moved its specific provincial anniversary back to late January. This ensures that the region retains its unique provincial celebration while still participating in the national significance of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
People in Northland celebrate the long weekend by taking advantage of the summer weather. Common activities include heading to the region's famous beaches, such as those in the Bay of Islands or the Tutukaka Coast. Local communities often host small festivals, fishing competitions, and sporting events. Because the holiday falls in late January, it is a popular time for camping and family gatherings. It is a day focused on regional pride, outdoor recreation, and enjoying the natural beauty of the 'Winterless North' before the school year fully resumes.
While many professional offices and schools are closed, many retail shops, cafes, and tourist attractions remain open to cater to the influx of visitors. In major Northland hubs like Whangārei, Kerikeri, and Paihia, you will find plenty of services available, though some may operate with shorter holiday hours. It is important to note that because it is a public holiday, some hospitality venues may apply a small surcharge (typically 10-15%) to covers the increased labor costs associated with staff working on a public holiday.
If you are planning to visit Northland during the anniversary weekend, it is highly recommended to book your accommodation well in advance. As a popular summer destination, hotels and campsites often reach full capacity. Traffic on State Highway 1 heading north from Auckland can be very heavy on the Friday afternoon and the Monday return, so try to time your travel for off-peak hours. Additionally, check local event listings for any specific regattas or community fairs that might be happening in towns like Russell or Mangawhai to experience the local culture.
The holiday is significant because it reinforces Northland's status as the 'birthplace of the nation.' By celebrating the arrival of William Hobson and the early colonial settlement, the holiday highlights the region's distinct historical trajectory. It serves as a reminder of Northland's early political importance and its maritime heritage. For locals, it is a day to celebrate their unique provincial identity, which is separate from the neighboring Auckland province, and to enjoy the lifestyle that defines the northernmost part of New Zealand.
Historical Dates
Northland Anniversary Day dates in New Zealand from 2010 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday | January 27, 2025 |
| 2024 | Monday | January 29, 2024 |
| 2023 | Monday | January 30, 2023 |
| 2022 | Monday | January 31, 2022 |
| 2021 | Monday | February 1, 2021 |
| 2020 | Monday | January 27, 2020 |
| 2019 | Monday | January 28, 2019 |
| 2018 | Monday | January 29, 2018 |
| 2017 | Monday | January 30, 2017 |
| 2016 | Monday | February 1, 2016 |
| 2015 | Monday | January 26, 2015 |
| 2014 | Monday | January 27, 2014 |
| 2013 | Monday | January 28, 2013 |
| 2012 | Monday | January 30, 2012 |
| 2011 | Monday | January 31, 2011 |
| 2010 | Monday | February 1, 2010 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.
About New Zealand
- Country Code
- NZ
- Continent
- Oceania
- Total Holidays
- 19