Uroczystości z okazji urodzin królowej na Nowej Zelandii3 zdjęć

Every year on the first Monday of June, New Zealand celebrates Queen’s Birthday Holiday. This holiday dates back to Edward VII, who, in order to avoid bad weather that could have disrupted public celebrations, decided to move the celebration of his birthday to the beginning of summer. Since then, all English monarchs have followed this tradition. However, for New Zealand, located in the Southern Hemisphere, June represents the onset of winter – usually in the form of prolonged heavy rains. As a result, despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the date of Queen’s Birthday Holiday 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 God’s 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 to replace this holiday with a more traditional and locally significant festival, such as Matariki – the Maori New Year. However, the government has not yet considered these suggestions seriously. Interestingly, in Maori language, the queen is called “Kotuku,” which means “white heron” – a noble and protected bird species that is rarely seen in New Zealand. Due to the fact that Queen’s Birthday Holiday falls on a Monday, New Zealanders enjoy three days off. Nevertheless, this day is more of a traditional celebration than a grand public festival. For many people, it is an opportunity to take a break from their daily routines and engage in activities they enjoy, such as attending races or enjoying winter sports in the South Island. Furthermore, on this day, according to tradition, the List of Honor is announced. It recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the countries within the British Commonwealth. These individuals are honored with various titles and honorary orders.