Southland Anniversary Day: 2026 and 2027 dates
Southland Anniversary Day commemorates the formal separation of Southland from Otago Province in 1861. Unusually, it is observed on Easter Tuesday, so the date moves with Easter each year.
2026
7 April 2026
2027
30 March 2027
Rule: Easter Tuesday.
2026 public holidays in Southland
All 11 nationwide public holidays plus Southland 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 |
| Southland Anniversary Day regional | 7 April 2026 | Tuesday |
Regional anniversary day rule: Easter Tuesday.
2027 public holidays in Southland
All 11 nationwide public holidays plus Southland 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 |
| Southland Anniversary Day regional | 30 March 2027 | Tuesday |
Regional anniversary day rule: Easter Tuesday.
Frequently asked questions
When is Southland Anniversary Day 2026?
Southland Anniversary Day 2026 is observed on 7 April 2026. The statutory rule is: easter tuesday.
When is Southland Anniversary Day 2027?
Southland Anniversary Day 2027 is observed on 30 March 2027.
Who observes Southland Anniversary Day?
Workers in the Southland region observe Southland 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 Southland 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 Southland get 12 paid public holidays a year in total.