Otago Anniversary Day: 2026 and 2027 dates
Otago Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of the first Scottish settlers at Port Chalmers in 1848 and the founding of the Otago Province. The conventional date is the Monday closest to 23 March, but actual observance varies across the region.
2026
23 March 2026
2027
22 March 2027
Rule: Monday closest to 23 March.
2026 public holidays in Otago
All 11 nationwide public holidays plus Otago Anniversary Day.
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday |
| Day after New Year's Day | 2 January 2026 | Friday |
| Waitangi Day | 6 February 2026 | Friday |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday |
| Anzac Day mondayised | 27 April 2026 | Monday |
| King's Birthday | 1 June 2026 | Monday |
| Matariki | 10 July 2026 | Friday |
| Labour Day | 26 October 2026 | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday |
| Boxing Day mondayised | 28 December 2026 | Monday |
| Otago Anniversary Day regional | 23 March 2026 | Monday |
Regional anniversary day rule: Monday closest to 23 March.
2027 public holidays in Otago
All 11 nationwide public holidays plus Otago Anniversary Day.
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2027 | Friday |
| Day after New Year's Day mondayised | 4 January 2027 | Monday |
| Waitangi Day mondayised | 8 February 2027 | Monday |
| Good Friday | 26 March 2027 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 29 March 2027 | Monday |
| Anzac Day mondayised | 26 April 2027 | Monday |
| King's Birthday | 7 June 2027 | Monday |
| Matariki | 25 June 2027 | Friday |
| Labour Day | 25 October 2027 | Monday |
| Christmas Day mondayised | 27 December 2027 | Monday |
| Boxing Day mondayised | 28 December 2027 | Tuesday |
| Otago Anniversary Day regional | 22 March 2027 | Monday |
Regional anniversary day rule: Monday closest to 23 March.
Frequently asked questions
When is Otago Anniversary Day 2026?
Otago Anniversary Day 2026 is observed on 23 March 2026. The statutory rule is: monday closest to 23 march.
When is Otago Anniversary Day 2027?
Otago Anniversary Day 2027 is observed on 22 March 2027.
Who observes Otago Anniversary Day?
Workers in the Otago region observe Otago Anniversary Day. The day is set under the Holidays Act 2003 s.44 and traces back to the original 19th-century New Zealand provinces.
Is Otago Anniversary Day a public holiday under the Holidays Act?
Yes. Provincial anniversary days are listed as public holidays under section 44 of the Holidays Act 2003. They are observed on top of the 11 nationwide public holidays, so most workers in Otago get 12 paid public holidays a year in total.