Do you want to have a tour of New Zealand? Then for sure, Canterbury is one of the best locations in New Zealand. It opts to be the largest city and is famed for Tasman Glacier and Christchurch with an adorable art scene. The central eastern coastal area is marked in South Island which is popular as Canterbury Region. 

When to celebrate this auspicious day?

Canterbury Anniversary Day opts to be celebrated on the 2^nd Friday after the first Tuesday of November month. This is a regional holiday which is celebrated in the Canterbury province of New Zealand. Canterbury Anniversary Day 2026 will be hosted on 13 November 2026. This day is observed in honor of the arrival first ship amongst four ships from England. On this day announcement of the Canterbury Region’s establishment was accounted and activities were held all across the region.

History behind the origin of Canterbury Anniversary Day:

The Canterbury region is involved in human activity especially Mori people who settled in the 10th century.

These people were commonly known as Moa-hunters who opted to be the first settlers of Canterbury.

They began to trade in Europe and carried muskets and other accessories while traveling in the earlier 19^th century. Later, in the 1830s, Europeans and other nationalities of Canterbury crept into Canterbury.

Further, in 1848, the Canterbury Association was founded by a British nobleman, Edward Gibbon Wakefield and John Robert Godley was an Anglo-Irish aristocracy who actively participated in the establishment of an Anglican colony on the south island.

In April 1850, Godley arrived at Port Cooper with some party to establish a port, house, and shops for settlers.

The first arrival was marked by 750 settlers coming from Lyttelton in four ships. Just after the foundation of New Zealand’s Constitution Act in 1852, the formation of Canterbury provinces was honored with time in 1853.

Later on 1^st November 1976, the Abolition of Provinces Act was announced which disbanded other provinces along with Canterbury. Thus, with the advent of 1989, modern-day Canterbury was announced along with country-wide local government reforms.

After the abolishment of the Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council, Kaikoura District was announced as the part of Canterbury region.

Canterbury Anniversary 2026

What makes the day celebration interesting?

On this anniversary day an event of “show day” takes place in Christchurch. The show displays the agricultural and rural base for the event.

In both towns, Christchurch and Ashburton, fairs, food stalls, concerts, and cultural exhibitions are promoted to make people enjoy and get entertained. Moreover, if you desire to try something else, then go trekking, mountain biking, water rafting, hiking, or exploring other destinations of your choice.

Thus, if you desire to know about amazing facts associated with any public or regional holiday. On our platform, you can learn about the holidays applicable to New Zealanders in advance. This will help you plan things with family and friends with greater ease. 

Anniversary days in New Zealand –