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Wanganui Anniversary Day/public holiday

Should a separate Wanganui Anniversary Day be established?

Wanganui currently observes Wellington Anniversary Day on the Monday closest to January 22 each year. Wanganui was part of the former Wellington Province.

The Council wants to know whether you think Wellington Anniversary Day is relevant to Wanganui or whether there is a better way to celebrate our heritage.

A number of districts throughout New Zealand have identified their own anniversary day or public holiday and built celebratory events around their independent holidays.

Wanganui has a rich heritage and its own identity, quite separate from Wellington’s identity. The Council believes that a day to celebrate Wanganui would be more appropriate than continuing to celebrate Wellington Anniversary Day.

If Wanganui residents vote to establish a Wanganui Anniversary Day or public holiday, the Council would then decide on an appropriate date. This could be on the anniversary date of a significant event in our history or on a date that has the most benefit for the community, such as between Queen’s Birthday and Labour Day when there are no other public holidays. Alternatively, an additional day could be attached to an existing holiday, for example on the Friday preceding Labour Day. Or it could be on the current Wellington Anniversary Day holiday.

Changing to a dedicated Wanganui holiday would require an amendment to the Holidays Act. The local Member of Parliament would develop a Local Bill on the matter.

Advantages of Wanganui having its own anniversary day/public holiday

  • It will celebrate Wanganui’s own identity.
  • It will be held on a date of most benefit to the Wanganui community.

Disadvantages of Wanganui having its own anniversary day/public holiday

  • Wanganui residents who work outside the Wanganui district will not get the benefit of the holiday.
  • The association with Wellington’s Anniversary Day will cease.

Wanganui District Council Web site || Referendum '06 || Referendum '05