New Zealand should replace King's Birthday with a more meaningful celebration. It has lost what little cultural meaning it had and we need to fill the gap between Matariki and Labur weekend. The British King had nothing to do with deciding which of the 178 New Zealanders were honoured in the ‘King’s Birthday Honours’ and as a long weekend it is largely renowned for delivering a lot of rainy weather.
We are continuing our call for the holiday weekend it to be replaced with a long weekend in early September.
Campaign Chair, Savage, commented today "King's Birthday has been surpassed by Matariki as a long weekend to mark the start of winter”.
“We all know it is not the actual King's birthday and the only reason it is at the start of June is because it is the start of the British summer. In 1748, mad King George II decided his actual birthday on 14 December was too dark and rainy to being out the crowds so he moved it to coincide with the trooping of the colour ceremony”.
“Even the British don't recognise it as a holiday”.
"The many months between Matariki and Labour weekend is far too long. Last year the vast majority of New Zealanders went over four months through the winter without any public holiday. The only public holidays celebrated in the four months are both regional”.
“Hawkes Bay celebrate on the Friday before Labour Monday which is a pretty smart move. South Canterbury Day have the last Monday in September. A day to mark Dominion Day 26 September 1907 when New Zealand achieved partial independence from the old British Empire”.
"We’d be better off letting go of an empty celebration like King's Birthday and choosing a far more significant day in September. The two strongest contenders for a day that has real significance to Aotearoa are 6 September, the anniversary of New Zealand citizenship, when we Kiwis stopped being British subjects, and Suffrage Day on 19 September celebrating New Zealand women winning their campaign for voting rights”.
“Few New Zealanders will mourn the loss of King's Birthday weekend but long weekends are an important part of staying connected to family and friends. So we can do what South Canterbury does and choose a Monday in September. With South Canterbury day on the last Monday in September the first Monday in September is a strong contender to replace the pretend birthday holiday we have on the first Monday in June”.
“Citizenship Weekend would be a time to celebrate all New Zealanders no matter where they are from or where they were born. Citizenship Day would be the perfect time to hold local citizenship ceremonies celebrating recent migrants achieving citizenship. Instead of King’s Birthday honours we would propose Matariki honours. On both of our New Year’s days, leading New Zealanders would be honoured for their commitment to their fellow New Zealanders”.
