Southland Anniversary Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Southland province was established on April 1, 1861, when it separated from Otago province. As part of the Abolition of the Provinces Act, Southland Province was dissolved in November 1876.

Southland Anniversary Day is a New Zealand public holiday honoured every Tuesday after Easter in the Southland region. This year, it occurs on April 11th. The date was chosen to establish a five-day weekend while remaining close to April 1, 1861, the official date of formation of the Province of Southland. The date was selected because it generates a five-day weekend from the Saturday before Easter through Easter Monday and Tuesday; however, Southland Anniversary Day has been celebrated only since 2011. As in other regions of New Zealand, Southland Anniversary Day festivities include fairs, historically and culturally informative events, food stalls, concerts, and a plethora of other activities in various communities throughout the region.

The background of Southland Anniversary Day

Southland province was established on April 1, 1861, when it separated from Otago province. As part of the Abolition of the Provinces Act, Southland Province was dissolved in November 1876. However, an anniversary day is still observed for the province, as it is for the majority of New Zealand. In December 2011, the three southern mayors decided that Southland Anniversary Day would be held on Easter Tuesday.

Southland is comprised of craggy coastlines and undulating plains on the South Island of New Zealand. In Southland, there are numerous attractions and activities. From the early Mori heritage to the legendary Burt Munro to the petrified forest on the Catlins Coast, New Zealand’s history is everywhere. In the late 1700s, sealers were the first Europeans to settle on the southern coast of the South Island. The profusion of fish and birds drew seafaring Mori to Bluff approximately 600 years before the arrival of the first Europeans. If you examine an aerial map of New Zealand, you will notice that the North Island is fish-shaped. The Maori view the far north as the fish’s tail and Wellington Harbor as its maw.

Murihiku, the most southern portion of the South Island, was petitioned by settlers to be separated from Otago. This began in 1857 and continued until the government consented in 1861. The province of Southland was established, despite the fact that the settlers and Maori preferred the name Murihiku.

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SOUTHLAND ANNIVERSARY DAY ACTIVITIES

Explore Milford Sound

Milford Sound, which is located in Fiordland National Park, is New Zealand’s most popular tourism destination. The sound is a fjord, which is a glacially-formed inlet.

The Hokonui Moonshine Museum should be visited.

In the previous century, illegal liquor production in Southland’s Hokonui Hills was the focus of police investigations. This may be an opportunity to observe a replica of the prohibition-era alcohol industry in the Gore District.

Share the event’s excitement on social media.

On social media, you can join in on the excitement by using the hashtags #Southland and #SouthlandDay. You can also search the Internet for humorous photographs and videos of the event.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SOUTHLAND

The city is a fantastic destination for visitors and those seeking a tranquil and entertaining experience, thanks to its beautiful architecture, lakes, ports, nature, and national parks.

With its pristine rainforests, picturesque farmlands, and rugged coastlines, New Zealand is the definitive destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.

Each Maori village had its own name, but most of what is now known as Southland is referred to by the Maori appellation Murihiku.

Observing cyclists or riding at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome will give you a flavour of Invercargill, Southland’s capital, which appears to be obsessed with anything on wheels.

Browne Falls is one of two candidates for the distinction of New Zealand’s tallest waterfall.