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Every year on the first Monday of June, New Zealand observes Queen’s Birthday Holiday. This holiday date differs from the actual birthdate of Queen Elizabeth II, which is April 21, 1926, and does not coincide with the celebration dates in other countries within the British Commonwealth.

Why is there such a discrepancy in the dates? The reason is quite simple: it stems from the weather conditions in England. To avoid unfavorable weather that could disrupt public celebrations, Edward VII decided in 1910 to move the date of his birthday celebration to early summer. Since then, all English monarchs have followed this tradition.

For New Zealand, however, which is located in the Southern Hemisphere, avoiding bad weather is not possible. In June, winter begins there, usually in the form of prolonged heavy rains. Nevertheless, since the weather is not as severe as in England and because significant public events are held to celebrate this day, the date has not been changed.

Elizabeth II ascended to the throne of New Zealand on February 6, 1952, and holds the official title of Elizabeth II, by Divine Grace Queen of New Zealand and her other kingdoms and territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

In recent years, there have been proposals in New Zealand to replace Queen’s Birthday Holiday with a more traditional and culturally significant festival, such as Matariki, the Maori New Year. However, the government has not yet seriously considered such suggestions.

Interestingly, in Maori language, the queen is called “Kotuku,” which means “white heron” – a noble and protected bird that is rarely seen in New Zealand.

Since Queen’s Birthday Holiday falls on a Monday, New Zealanders enjoy three days off. Nevertheless, this day is more of a tradition than a major public celebration. For many people, it is just an additional opportunity to take a break from their daily routine and engage in activities they enjoy, such as attending races or enjoying the skiing season in the South Island.

On this day, according to long-standing tradition, the Honorary List is also announced. It recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the countries within the British Commonwealth.