New Zealand (Aotearoa) : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

Culture :

Secular holiday : The actual birthday of the Queen is April 21, and her husband's, Prince Phillip, is June 10.

Secular holiday : Matariki is the Māori name given to the Pleiades cluster of stars, which rises in mid-winter in the southern hemisphere – marking the start of the Māori new year. The constellation’s reappearance in the night sky has been celebrated at events across New Zealand since the early 2000s, though Māori party MP Rahui Katene’s attempt to have it recognised as a public holiday failed in 2009. from 2022

School holidays :

cards/flowers :

School holidays :

Culture : Www.nziff.co.nz lasts 2 weeks - in Auckland 2022 edition confirmed

cards/flowers :

Special Events :

Special Events :

Secular holiday : Canterbury Day in Canterbury only

Sports events : Http://www.rallynz.org.nz lasts 3 days - in Hamilton 2022 edition confirmed

School holidays :

School holidays :

Secular holiday :

Secular holiday : Commemorates the struggle for an eight-hour working day

Secular holiday : Marlborough Day in Marlborough only

Culture : Also known as Bonfire Night, Cracker Night, Fireworks Night, Bommy Night: celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of the 5th of November, 1605 in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, were alleged to be attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.

Tradeshows : Www.theshow.co.nz/ lasts 3 days - in Christchurch 2022 edition confirmed

cards/flowers :

Secular holiday : Christchurch Day in Christchurch only

Special Events : Day of sales and bargains

Culture : From the Latin word adventus meaning coming : observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year. [Wikipedia]

Secular holiday : Westland Day in Westland only

Secular holiday : Chatham Islands Day in the Chatham Islands Day only

School holidays : Oner week later for primary schools

Secular holiday : Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would traditionally receive gifts known as a Christmas box from their masters, employers or customers. Due to historical reasons, depending on the year, Boxing Day can be celebrated BEFORE Christmas in the UK. [Wikipedia]

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Culture : Szilveszter