South Canterbury Anniversary Day in New Zealand
South Canterbury Anniversary Day in New Zealand is held on September 29. On the last monday of September. This event in the third decade of the month September is annual.
From the silvery beaches of the East Coast to the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps, the Canterbury landscape is impossible to ignore. South Canterbury's main urban area is Timaru, which is the second largest centre in the entire Canterbury Region. Other towns in South Canterbury include Temuka, Geraldine, Waimate, Pleasant Point, Fairlie, Twizel, Glenavy and Saint Andrews.
The Ngai Tahu Māori tribe had already discovered the charm of the location well before Captain Cook sighted Akaroa Harbour in 1770s. Akaroa is the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Their influence is still evident in this vibrant tourist town—look for French street names, quaint historical buildings and inspired cuisine.
South Canterbury’s Anniversary Day coincides with Dominion Day, which was celebrated on September 26 to mark the anniversary of New Zealand being granted Dominion status by the British Empire from September 26, 1907.
South Cantabrians will not miss out on an additional public holiday in 2022 after region's district councils voted to move their anniversary day following clash with Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day.
The Timaru, Waimate and Mackenzie district councils voted in favour of a one-off date move to coincide with Canterbury Anniversary Day, on November 11, after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was up to “local leaders” to decide whether to do so following a clash with the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day public holiday on September 26.