Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day in 2025

When is Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day?

Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day is held on the Friday before Labour Day.

Hawke's Bay province was created when it was split from Wellington on 1 November 1958. It became a provincial district in 1876.

Hawke's Bay was named by Captain Cook in honour of Edward Hawke, First Lord of the Admiralty.

This day is also known as 'Show Day' as the Friday is the last day of the Royal Agricultural Show.

Anniversary Days in New Zealand

The Holidays Act 1981 specifies each locality observing a Provincial Anniversary Day to celebrate the founding days or landing days of the first colonists of the various colonial provinces.

However the exact dates are not legislated for.

The regions covered are set by provincial district (as they stood when abolished in 1876), plus Southland, the Chatham Islands, South Canterbury and Northland.