Westland Anniversary Day

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2024 Date2 December 2024
2025 Date1 December 2025

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Westland Anniversary Day

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Westland Anniversary Day commemorates the founding of the province. It is an important occasion for West Coasters, providing an opportunity to celebrate their distinct regional identity. Events and activities organized for this day reflect various aspects of the province's heritage, showcasing unique culture, history, and traditions of the Westland region.

The Westland province was established on May 1, 1868, following a period of rapid development during the gold rush in the 1860s. The anniversary day honors the struggles and successes of the early settlers in making the region habitable and prosperous. The occasion is equally important for contemporary New Zealanders in the Westland region, as it serves to strengthen connections between people and the land they inhabit. By acknowledging the past, Westland Anniversary Day emphasizes the significance of the region within the broader context of New Zealand's development.

To mark Westland Anniversary Day, people usually attend parades, musical performances, sports events, and various community activities that showcase elements of West Coast life. Events highlight the unique aspects of West Coast culture, encompassing its mining history, rural industries, and strong local communities. Westland Anniversary Day typically falls on the Monday closest to December 1st, ensuring a long weekend for those residing in the region. This enables people to fully engage in celebrations, fostering a sense of pride and unity within the Westland community.

Westland Anniversary Day Facts

  • Along with all the other provinces that once formed New Zealand, Westland was dissolved in 1876. As set forth by the New Zealand Holidays Act of 1981, its founding is still commemorated locally. Provinces had local governmental powers but now exist only as provincial districts, which serve only to denote a region.
  • Aside from the occasional sealer, Europeans didn't see much reason to be in the Westland region until gold was found in 1864. During the ensuing gold rush, the region had its highest population ever.
  • Westland was the last province to be established in New Zealand. It was established in 1873, just three years before it was abolished along with all the other provinces.
  • Westland covers an area of approximately 11,880 square kilometers, bordered by Canterbury to the north, Otago to the south, and the Southern Alps to the east. It experiences a temperate oceanic climate, with high rainfall and mild temperatures.
  • Pounamu is a highly prized material used by the Māori in various forms of art and jewelry. It is mainly found on the West Coast and held great cultural and spiritual value. Hokitika, a town in Westland, is known as the greenstone capital of New Zealand.

Westland Anniversary Day Top Events and Things to Do

  • Visit the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Enjoy the nature and be sure to see the glaciers.
  • Visit the old gold mining town of Hokitika. The Man Booker Prize winning novel The Luminaries is set there during the 1860s gold rush.
  • Relax and rejuvenate in the hot pools at Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier.
  • Known for its stunning reflective waters, Lake Maatheson offers beautiful views of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.

Westland Anniversary Day References and Related Sites

teara.govt.nz: Westland History

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