South Canterbury Anniversary Day: 2026 and 2027 dates
South Canterbury Anniversary Day, historically known as Dominion Day, is observed in the Timaru, Mackenzie and Waimate districts on the fourth Monday of September. It is the only statutorily distinct sub-region anniversary day inside the broader Canterbury region.
Historically known as Dominion Day.
2026
28 September 2026
2027
27 September 2027
Rule: Fourth Monday of September (formerly Dominion Day).
2026 public holidays in South Canterbury
All 11 nationwide public holidays plus South Canterbury 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 |
| South Canterbury Anniversary Day regional | 28 September 2026 | Monday |
Regional anniversary day rule: Fourth Monday of September (formerly Dominion Day).
2027 public holidays in South Canterbury
All 11 nationwide public holidays plus South Canterbury 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 |
| South Canterbury Anniversary Day regional | 27 September 2027 | Monday |
Regional anniversary day rule: Fourth Monday of September (formerly Dominion Day).
Frequently asked questions
When is South Canterbury Anniversary Day 2026?
South Canterbury Anniversary Day 2026 is observed on 28 September 2026. The statutory rule is: fourth monday of september (formerly dominion day).
When is South Canterbury Anniversary Day 2027?
South Canterbury Anniversary Day 2027 is observed on 27 September 2027.
Who observes South Canterbury Anniversary Day?
Workers in the South Canterbury region observe South Canterbury 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 South Canterbury 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 South Canterbury get 12 paid public holidays a year in total.