To Download a print version in PDF format click here

 

Though I have taken great care in checking the dates, I recommend that you check the relevant websites to make sure the dates are correct.

 

 

*All events marked with a * are official United Nations or/and UNESCO celebrations

 

January / Kohi-tātea

1 New Year’s Day

2 Day after New Year’s Day

4 National Braille Day  www.webhealth.co.nz

9 – 12 Mahayana New Year – Buddhist   www.interfaith.org.nz

15 World Religion Day – Baha'i        www.interfaith.org.nz

16 Southland Anniversary Day

 

  16 (3rd Monday in January) Martin Luther King Day   www.holidayinsights.com

 

 

 

18 – 25  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Christian  www.interfaith.org.nz

23 Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese New Year – Year of the Dragon – year 4710 www.holidayinsights.com 

23 Wellington Anniversary Day

26 Australia Day www.mfat.govt.nz

26 India Republic Day www.mfat.govt.nz

27 International day of commemoration in memory of the victims of  the holocaust *  www.un.org

29 World Leprosy Day www.finz.org.nz

30 Auckland Anniversary Day

30 Nelson Anniversary Day

30 Northland Anniversary Day

30 Start of Term 1 – Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools www.minedu.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

1 Go Bike Day www.bikewise.co.nz

1 – 7 World Interfaith Harmony Week (first week of Feb) www.un.org

2 Groundhog's Day (USA) www.holidayinsights.com

   2 World Wetlands Day 'Wetland Tourism' www.doc.govt.nz

 

 

   3 Setsubum-sai – Shinto www.interfaith.org.nz

 

 

 

 3 – 9  National Eating Disorders Week 'Everybody knows somebody' www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

 

4 World Cancer Day  www.worldcancerday.org

 

 

 

6 Waitangi Day/ Kahungunu Tatau Tatau E  www.dol.govt.nz    www.kahungunu.iwi.nz

7 – 13 Well Child Week www.wellchild.org.nz

12 Darwin Daywww.darwinday.org

12 – Red Hand Day – Stop using child soldiers http://www.redhandday.org

 

 

 

13 World Radio Day * http://www.unesco.org

 

13 – 19 Heart Health Week www.heartfoundation.org.nz

13 – 19 Lifeline National Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

14 Valentines day www.stvalentinesday.org

 

14 – 21 Sexual Health Awareness Week (Australia) www.whathealth.com

 

16 Walk to work Day www.livingstreets.org.nz

20 World Day of Social Justice* www.unesco.org

21 International Mother Language Day  * www.unesco.org

21 – 27 Child Cancer “Beads of Courage” street appeal www.childcancer.org.nz

 

21 – 28 Australian Donor Awareness Week www.whathealth.com

 

24 – 28 NZ Fashion  Festival 2012   www.nzfashionfestival.com

 

24 – 18 March NZ International Arts Festival

           Young Writers and Readers Day / Margaret Mahy   http://m.festival.co.nz

 

 

26 Japan Day 'We love Nippon' www.eventfinder.com

 

 

28 NZ Post Children's Book Awards – Finalists Announced www.booksellers.co.nz

 

 

 

 

28 – 6 March Red Cross Awareness and Appeal Week www.redcross.org.nz

 

 

March / Poutū-te-rangi

 

       Autumn 20 March – 20 June

 

 

 

 

Endometriosis Month (NZ)  www.nzendo.co.nz x

Child Cancer Appeal Month www.finz.org.nz

Epilepsy New Zealand Awareness Month www.finz.org.nz

Ride out of the Blue – Mental Health Foundation (NZ) www.webhealth.co.nz

Mouthguard Awareness Month (Australia) www.whathealth.com

Red Cross Month (worldwide) www.whathealth.com

 

 

1 World Book Day www.worldbookday.com

1 – 8 National Toy Library Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

  3 – 11 NZ Sea Week The theme is: One Ocean – Too Much Love? Turning the Tide – See Sealife Display for ideas

 

 

 

4 – 10 Kidney Foundation Appeal Week www.kidneys.co.nz

5 – 11 Well Child Week www.wellchild.org.nz

5 – 11 Plunket Birthday Appeal Week  www.plunket.org.nz

7 – Read Aloud Day http://litworld.org/worldreadaloudday

8 Purim – Judaism  www.interfaith.org.nz

8 Magha Puja Day – Buddhist www.interfaith.org.nz

8 International Women’s Day * www.internationalwomensday.com

9 – 10 Pasifika Festival Auckland www.eventfinder.co.nz  

12 – 18 Brain Awareness Week  www.neurological.org.nz

12 – 18 Red Cross Annual Appeal Week www.finz.org.nz

12 Taranaki Anniversary Day

14 Walk to Work Day www.livingstreets.org.nz

15 – 21 World Poppy Week www.rsa.org.nz 

16 – 18 WOMAD Festival Taranaki www.womad.co.nz

17 Saint Patricks Day www.st-patricks-day.com

 

 

 

17 – 25 Muscular Dystrophy Association's 'Bow Tie' Week  www.finz.org.nz

19  – 25 Child Cancer Beads of Courage Awareness Week www.childcancer.org.nz

20 Sun Earth Day http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

20 – 23 World Social Work Day www.ifsw.org

21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination* www.unesco.org

21 – 27 Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination* www.un.org

21 World Down Syndrome Day * www.unesco.org

21 International Day of Nowruz *- Baha'i New Year Celebration www.interfaith.org.nz

21 World Poetry Day    www.unesco.org *

 

 

 

 

22 World Water Day ' Water for Cities' * www.worldwaterday.com

 

23 International World Meteorological Day*  www.un.org

 

24 World Tuberculosis Day *  www.stoptb.org

24 – 25 Neighbours Day Aotearoa www.neighboursday.org.nz

25 – 31 Hearing Week www.finz.org.nz

26 Otago Anniversary Day

26 – 31 Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ 'Shave for a Cure www.webhealth.co.nz

27 – 2 April  Arthritis Awareness Week (Australia) www.whathealth.com

30 – 1 April Red Puppy Guide Dog Appeal www.rnzfb.org.nz

 

 

 

31 Margaret Mahy Day www.storylines.co.nz

 

 

April / Paenga-whāwhā

 

 

Irritable Bowel Awareness Month (worldwide) www.whathealth.com

 

Cesarean Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.healthed.govt.nz

 

National Autism Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.autismnz.org.nz

 

1  April Fool’s Day

2 World Autism Awareness Day *   www.autismnz.org.nz

 

 

2 International Children's Book Day www.worldbookday.com

 

 

4 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action* www.un.org

5 Last day of term 1: Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools www.minedu.govt.nz    (start term 2: 23 April)

6 Good Friday – Christian  www.interfaith.org.nz

7 World Health Day* www.who.int

 

7 Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rhwanda Genocide* www.un.org

 

 

7 – 14 Pesach -  Judaism  www.interfaith.org.nz

 

8 Easter – Christian www.interfaith.org.nz

9 Easter Monday Christian  www.dol.govt.nz

11 World Parkinson Day www.parkinsons.org.nz x

12 International Day of Human Space Flight * www.unesco.org

16 – 23 Poppy Week www.finz.org.nz

17 World Hemophilia Day  www.hemophilia.org

 

22  Zoo Awareness Day   www.izea.net

 

22 – 28 NZRDA Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

 

23 Start of Term 2: Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools   www.minedu.govt.nz   (end term 2: 29 June)

23 World Book and Copyright Day * www.unesco.org

 

23 – 31 UN Global Safety Week* www.un.org

25 ANZAC Day  www.dol.govt.nz

25 World Malaria Day * www.worldmalariaday.org

26 World Intellectual Property Day*  www.un.org

 

28 World Day for Safety and Health at Work* www.un.org

29 Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare* www.un.org

30 – 6 May Salvation Army Shield Appeal www.finz.org.nz

30 – 6 May NZ Sign Language Week www.hrc.co.nz 

 

 

May / Haratua

 

 

Hepatitis Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.webhealth.co.nz

Lyme Disease Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.webhealth.co.nz

Coastguard's national MayDay Fundraising appeal Month (NZ) www.finz.org.nz

 

1 Beltane – Samhain – Wicca / Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres  www.interfaith.org.nz

1 – 7 Rape Awareness Week www.rapecrisis.org.nz

3 World Press Freedom Day* www.unesco.org x  

4 – 11 Dystonia Awareness Week (worldwide) www.whathealth.com

 

4 International Fire Fighters Day www.firefightersday.org

 

 

6 Visakha Puja – Buddha Day – Buddhist www.interfaith.org.nz

9 – 13  Auckland Writers and Readers Festival www.writersfestival.co.nz

12 World NursesDay www.nursingcouncil.org.nz

14 – 20 Hospice Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

 

15 International Day of Families* www.un.org

 

 

16 – 27 International Film Festival Cannes www.festival-cannes.com

 

17 World Telecommunication and  Information Society Day* www.un.org

18 Pink Shirt Day – Bullying is NOT OK www.pinkshirtday.org.nz

19 World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day www.finz.org.nz

19 – 26 Hepatitis Awareness Week (Australia) www.whathealth.com

19 – 27 Youth Week www.nzaahd.co.nz

 

20 – 26 Allergy Awareness Week www.allergy.org.nz

 

 

21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development *  www.unesco.org

 

 

22 Australia's biggest 'Morning Tea' Day (Australia) www.whathealth.com

22 International Day for Biological Diversity*  www.un.org

23 Declaration of Baha'u'llah  Baha'i  www.interfaith.org.nz

23 – 27 Heart Children Awareness Week www.heartchildren.org.nz

24 – 31 Kidney Health Week  (Australia)  www.whathealth.com

25 Africa Day – Africa Week * www.unesco.org

26 – 2 June Macular Degeneration NZ Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

27 – 2 June Samoan Language Week   www.hrc.co.nz

27 – 29 World Vision 40 Hours Famine www.worldvision.org.nz

 

 

28 World Freedom Day www.amnesty.org.nz

29 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers* www.un.org

     31 World No-Tobacco Day* www.hsc.org.nz

 

31 – 6 June Infant Gastric Reflux Awareness Week www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz

 

 

June / Pipiri

Winter 20  June – 22 September

 

 

 

 

1 Samoa Independence Day www.mfat.govt.nz

1 – 6 Autism New Zealand Appeal Week www.finz.org.nz

2 – 8 Brain Injury Awareness Week www.brain-injury-nz.org

    4 Queen's Birthday  www.dol.govt.nz

4 Tonga Emancipation Day www.mfat.govt.nz

4 – 10 Bowel Cancer Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

4 – 10 Coeliac Awareness Week www.coeliac.co.nz

4 International Day of Innocent Children’s Victims of Aggression* www.un.org

5 – 12 Head Injury Awareness Week  www.head-injury.org.nz

 

 

5 World Environment Day* www.un.org

 

5 Arbour Day "Plant a Tree" www.doc.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

6 NZ Post Book Awards – Category Award Finalists announcedwww.booksellers.co.nz

 

8    1987: New Zealand becomes Nuclear free

8 – 14 Bowel Cancer Awareness Week (Australia) www.whathealth.com

8 – 9 July Matariki Maori New Year www.kahungunu.iwi.nz

   8 – World Ocean Day www.worldoceannetwork.org : see Sea Life display for ideas  

 

 

 

 

 

 

July / Hōngongoi

 

 

International Group B Strep Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.whathealth.com

Alzheimers Cuppa for a Cause Month www.finz.org.nz

 

1 – 7 Neurological Foundation Annual Appeal www.finz.org.nz

2 International day of Cooperatives* www.un.org

3 Asalha Puja Day – Buddhist www.interfaith.org.nz

4 – USA Independence Day  www.mfat.govt.nz

6 – 12 Alzheimer's Awareness Week (worldwide) www.whathealth.com

11 World Population Day*  www.un.org

13 – 16 Obon – Buddhist / Shinto www.interfaith.org.nz

16 Start of term 3: Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools www.minedu.govt.nz   (end term 3: 28 Sept)

16 – 22 Women's Refuge Appeal Week www.womensrefuge.org.nz

18 Nelson Mandela International Day* www.un.org

20 Ramadan begins – Islam www.interfaith.org.nz

 

21  1969 First moon landing

22 – 29 Leadership Week www.finz.org.nz

23 – 29 Maori Language Week www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz

27 NZ Post Book Awards – National Poetry Day  www.booksellers.co.nz

27 – 12 August Summer Olympic Games (London) www.olympic.org

28 World Hepatitis Day* www.unesco.org

 

     30 International Day of Friendship www.un.org

 

 

August / Here-turi-koka

Psoriasis Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.psoriasis.org

MedicAlert Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.whathealth.com

1 NZ Post Book Awards – Awards Ceremony in Auckland
www.booksellers.co.nz

1 – 3 Amnesty International Awareness Appeal Week www.amns.org.nz

1 – 7 World Breastfeeding Week www.un.org

2 NZ Post Book Awards – Winning Authors Event in Auckland  www.booksellers.co.nz

3 – 9 Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week (Australia) www.whathealth.com

5 – 11 Heart Awareness Week wwwheartnz.org.nz

6 – 12 Parent to Parent NZ Annual Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

6 – 12 VSA (Volunteer Service Abroad) Project Friendship www.finz.org.nz

9 International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People*   www.un.org

 

10 Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu www.interfaith.org.nz

12 Closing Ceremony Summer Olympic Games (London) www.olympic.org

 

12 International Youth Day* www.un.org

13 – 19 Cystic Fibrosis Association of NZ Appeal Week www.cfnz.org.nz

 

13 Lefthanders Day or Sinistrophobia*  www.funlobby.com

 

 15 India Independence Day   www.mfat.govt.nz

15 – 22  Storyline Fesival of NZ Children’s writers and Illustrators – dates have to be confirmed 

 

19 World Humanitarian Day* www.unesco.org

19 – 21 Eid al Fitr – End of Ramadan – Islam  www.interfaith.org.nz

22 Daffodil Day (Australia) www.whathealth.com 

23 International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade* www.un.org

 

27 SPCA Cupcake Day www.finz.org.nz 

 

 

27 – 7 Oct   Brancott Estate World of WearableArt Awards Showwww.worldofwearableart.com

 

 

      29 International Day against Nuclear Tests* www.un.org

 

 

 

30 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition* www.un.org

 

31  Daffodil Day www.cancernz.org.nz

 

 

 

 

September / Mahuru

Spring 21 September – 21 December

 

Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.leukemia-lymphoma.org

Gynaecological Cancer Foundation Awareness Month (NZ) www.healthywomen.org.nz

Blue September – Prostate Cancer Month (NZ) www.blueseptember.org.nz

Starship Springcleaning Campaign (NZ)  www.starship.org.nz

Alzheimer Awareness Month www.finz.org.nz

Oral Health Month (NZ)  www.healthysmiles.org.nz

1 Random Act of Kindness Day www.rak.co.nz 

 

1 – 7 National Asthma Week (Australia) www.whathealth.com

2 – 8 MS Awareness Week www.msnz.org.nz

2 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week www.msnz.org.nz

3 – 8 Stroke Foundation Appeal Week www.stroke.org.nz

    5 Fathers Day www.finz.org.nz

 

 

 

8 World Physiotherapy Day www.physio.co.nz

8 International Literacy Day *www.un.org

9 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day www.fasday.com

  9 – 16 Conservation Week  -  theme:     “Love New Zealand, Arohaina i a Aotearoa” www.doc.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

10 World Suicide Prevention Day* www.un.org

14 Maori Language Day  www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz

14 – 30 CanTeen National Bandanna   Challenge www.canteen.org.nz  

 

 

 

15 World Lymphoma Day www.leukaemia.org.nz

15 International Day of Democracy* www.un.org

15 – 21 National Stroke Week (Australia) www.whathealth.com

16 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozon layer * www.un.org

 

 

 

 

16 – 22 Deaf Awareness Week www.nfd.org.nz

17 – 18 Rosh HaShanah – Judaism www.interfaith.org.nz

 

21 World Alzheimer Day www.cph.co.nz

21 International Day of Peace – 'Religious Freedom' *  www.unesco.org.nz

 

22 World Car Free Day www.worldcarfree.net

 

 

 

24 South Canterbury Anniversary Day

24 – 30 Deaf Awareness Week www.nfd.org.nz

24 – 1 October Older Persons Awareness Week www.ageconcern.org.nz

25 World Heart Day * www.un.org

 

 

 

25 – 1 October Arthritis Orange  Appeal Week www.arthritis.org.nz

26  Yom Kippur - Judaism www.interfaith.org.nz  

 

 

 

27 World Tourism Day* www.unesco.org

28 World Rabies Day* www.who.int

28 End of Term 3: Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools www.minedu.govt.nz  (start term 4: 15 Oct)

29 World Maritime Day* www.un.org

 

 

 

 

 

October / Whiringa-ā-nuku

 

 

Lupus Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.lupussupport.org.nz

Health Literacy Month www.healthliteracy.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month  www.nzbcf.org.nz x

Rett Syndrome Awareness Month  www.whathealth.com

1 World Vegetarian Day  www.worldvegetarianday.org

1 International Day of Older Persons* www.unesco.org

1 – 8 Habitat for Humanity NZ Appeal and Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

2 International Day of Non-Violence* www.unesco.org

3 Korea National Foundation Day  www.mfat.govt.nz

3 World Habitat Day*  www.un.org

4 World Animal Day   www.worldanimalday.org.uk

4 – 10 World Space Week www.un.org   

5 World teacher's day* www.unesco.org

5 World Smile Day www.worldsmileday.com

8 – 14 Mental Health Awareness Week www.mentalhealth.org.nz

8 – 12 Get Ready Get Thru Awareness Week www.civildefence.govt.nz

9  World Post day* www.un.org

   9 – 15 Baby Loss Awareness Week www.sands.org.nz

10 Fiji Independence Day  www.mfat.govt.nz

10 World Mental Health day*  www.mentalhealth.org.nz

11 World Sight Day www.nzao.co.nz

11 Columbus Day (USA)  www.timeanddate.com

11 International Day of the Girl Child* www.unesco.org 

12 World Arthritis Day www.arthritis.org.nz

12 – 18 Haemophilia Awareness Week (Australia) www.haemophilia.org.au

13 International Day for Disaster Reduction* www.unesco.org

15 International Day of Rural Women*  www.un.org x

15 Start of Term 4: Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools  www.minedu.govt.nz   (end term 4: 20 Dec)

16 World Food Day*   www.un.org

16 – 23 Navratri – Hindu www.interfaith.org.nz  

17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty*  www.un.org

 8 – 24 Osteoporosis Week  www.osteoporosis.org.nz

19 Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day

22 Labour Day www.dol.govt.nz

   22 World Stuttering Day www.stuttering.co.nz

23 – 29 Blind Appeal Week www.rnzfb.org.nz

24 United Nations Day* www.un.org

24 World Development Information Day* www.un.org

24 – 30 Disarmament Week* www.un.org

26 – 29 Eid al Adha – Islam www.interfaith.org.nz

27 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage* www.unesco.org

29 Marlborough Anniversary Day

31 Halloween www.kiwifamilies.co.nz 

November / Whiringa-ā-rangi

 

 

5+ A Day (veges) Promotion Month (NZ)  www.5+aday.co.nz

'Movember' Men's Health Month (NZ) www.movember.co.nz

Epilepsy NZ Awareness Month 'Talk about it' www.finz.org.nz

KidsCan Xmas Cracker Appeal 1st Nov – 25th Dec  www.whathealth.com

Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month (Australia) www.whathealth.com

Lung Cancer Awareness Month (worldwide)  www.whathealth.com

 

   1 Samhain – Beltane – Wicca / Pagan www.interfaith.org.nz

 

 

1 – 7 Parkinson's Society Awareness and Appeal Week  www.parkinsons.org.nz

5 Guy Fawkes Day    www.bank-holidays.net

5 – 11 Leukaemia Awareness Week www.finz.org.nz

 

 

5 – 11 SPCA Annual Paws Week www.finz.org.nz

 

6 International Day for Preventing the exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict* www.un.org

 

    6 – 12 International Week of Science and Peace* www.un.org

 

9 World Freedom Day  www.worldfreedomday.org

10 World Science Day for Peace and Development*    www.un.org

11 Remembrance Day www.rsa.org.nz

12 – 18 Geography Awareness Week http://education.nationalgeographic.com

    13 Diwali – Deepavali – Hindu – Sikh  www.interfaith.org.nz

13 – 19 Bernardo's Appeal Week www.barnardos.org.nz

13 – 19 Diabetes NZ Awareness Week www.diabetes.org.nz   

14 World Diabetes Day* www.un.org

16 Canterbury Anniversary Day 

16 International Day for Tolerance*  www.un.org

 

   18 World Philosophy Day* www.un.org

 

 

18 – 24 GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease) Awareness Week www.whathealth.com

       20 Universal Children's Day* www.unesco.org

 

 

 

20 Africa Industrialization Day*  www.un.org

21 World Television Day* ww.un.org

25 White Ribbon Day – International Day for the Elimination of violence against women* www.whiteribbon.org.nz 

 

 

28 Guru Nanak Dev Sahib birthday – Sikh www.interfaith.org.nz

25 – 25 Dec Christian World Service Christmas Appeal  www.finz.org.nz

29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People* www.un.org

December / Hakihea