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The Bay of Islands town responsible for Auckland's Anniversary Day plans to celebrate the occasion in great style this weekend.
"It may be called Auckland Anniversary but in fact it commemorates William Hobson's landing at Russell in 1840 to declare himself New Zealand's first governor," said the manager of the Pompallier Mission in Russell, Kate Martin.
She wondered how many people knew why there was a public holiday at this time each year.
History records that Hobson and Bishop Pompallier exchanged courtesy visits before both men met again at Waitangi a week later.
Although Russell was then known only as Kororareka, Auckland was not founded for another 10 months which made the city "our junior offspring", joked Ms Martin.
Included in Russell's celebrations this weekend is a public Nice-Regal (not quite Vice-Regal) garden party in the heritage gardens of the Pompallier Mission in The Strand on Saturday.
Local musicians will provide entertainment from 3pm. People are urged to dress in a "silly formal" way with big hats, pirate outfits and ballerina costumes all acceptable.
"This will be serious family fun."
