KEY POINTS:
On January 27, 1842, Willoughby Shortland announced from the Colonial Secretary's Office in Auckland that "Saturday the 29th instant, being the second anniversary of the establishment of this colony, his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that a day be held as a general holiday on which occasions the public offices will be closed."
In celebration, a regatta was held on Auckland Harbour. Some things never change.
Wellington sneaks ahead of Auckland in the anniversary day stakes, having had their day off last Monday to mark the arrival of the Aurora in Wellington Harbour in 1840. On board were 150 New Zealand Company settlers who had endured a four-month voyage from England. They deserved a day off if anyone did.
The other regions - Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Southland, Marlborough, Taranaki, Westland (the list goes on) - have different days as their anniversary day, some on Mondays and some on Fridays, scattered through the year.
Eleven public holidays are provided for under the Holidays Act 2003, administered by the Department of Labour. The legislation lists the holidays, formerly called statutory days, but does not generally set the dates. Some are set by their own acts of Parliament, such as the Waitangi Day Act, the Anzac Day Act and the Sovereign's Birthday Observance Act. These are managed by Internal Affairs, while others such as Christmas and Easter are religious holidays.
The public holidays listed in the act are: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, January 2, Waitangi Day (always February 6), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day (always April 25), Queen's Birthday (first Monday in June), Labour Day (fourth Monday in October) and the provincial anniversary days.
As well, working Kiwis are entitled to a minimum of three weeks annual holiday. The good news is that this is set to rise to four weeks on April 1.
In comparison with other countries, Kiwis are about the middle of the road. Canada has 10 public holidays while South Africa has 12.
Australia beats us with 20 days' annual leave and 13 public holidays.
By contrast, the United States has no legislative requirement for any employers to give any days off. While most offer days off on national holidays such as July 4, Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas Day, they are not compelled to do so. Annual leave in the US is frequently as little as two weeks.
So let's just enjoy Monday and let the rest of the year take care of itself.
