Hawke’s Bay Anniversary Day
Hawke’s Bay Anniversary Day is a public regional holiday observed in the Hawke’s Bay Region on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island. This holiday is observed on the Friday before Labour Day, which places it on the calendar near the end of October. It was established to commemorate the province’s separation from Wellington in 1858.
One of the main events observed on this holiday is the Royal Agricultural Show in Hastings. This show features livestock competitions and includes games, food vendors, fairs, and other special events. The events resemble the state fairs held in the U.S.
Facts About Hawke’s Bay
We have discovered quite a few interesting facts about Hawke’s Bay that we think many people would find intriguing. Although this local government region is not well-known outside of New Zealand, it is a region that we believe more people should learn about. To that end, we have listed some of the more interesting facts we have found about it below.
- The region was named by Captain James Cook in honor of Admiral Edward Hawke.
- The region covers an area of approximately 5,459 square miles.
- It has a total population (as of 2021) of approximately 181,500 people.
- Some of the towns and settlements in the region include Frasertown, Nuhaka, Mahia Beach, and Tikokino.
- Napier and Hastings are two of the most populated cities in the region.
- Hawke’s Bay is one of the most seismically active regions in all of New Zealand.
- The region has experienced more than 50 damaging earthquakes that have been recorded.
- The region boasts 44,200 acres of horticultural land.
Observing Hawke’s Bay Anniversary Day
This holiday is not only observed with an agricultural show and livestock competition but also with other events held throughout the province. There are open-air concerts, theater group presentations, and cultural events. It is also a day off for the general public, and many non-essential government offices, schools, and businesses are closed.