These materials highlight national days and weeks of importance. They explain how national events link to The New Zealand Curriculum and provide ideas, resources, and tools to help schools get involved.
January
Lunar New Year - resources on Tāhūrangi.
January - February.
By examining this celebration, students can explore values such as diversity and respect, and develop conceptual understandings about culture, identity, and customs.
February
Waitangi Day - resources on Tāhūrangi.
6 February.
Waitangi Day provides an opportunity for students to examine social science concepts and values and develop key competencies. Schools can also consider how the Treaty of Waitangi principle is used as a foundation for curriculum decision-making.
March
Seaweek | Kauapapa Moana first nine days of March.
Seaweek is New Zealand’s annual national week about the sea. Coordinated by the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (MERC), Seaweek is a time for us to get to know more about the ocean, its habitats, characteristics, and inhabitants better.
April
Earth Day 22 April.
Earth Day is a global event where people honour the natural environment and raise awareness of environmental issues. By taking part in Earth Day, students can learn about the current state of the planet and explore options for sustainability.
Anzac Day - resources on Tāhūrangi.
25 April.
By examining this national event, students can develop key competencies, explore values such as respect and honour, and consider the social science concepts of identity, continuity, and change.
May
New Zealand Music Month all of May. .
New Zealand Music Month provides a useful context for students to develop understandings in the arts and social sciences. It is also a good time to explore the values of diversity and community and participation with your students.
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuman Language Week second week of May.
This page on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the Rotuman language.
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week second week of May.
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week is a chance for the Deaf community to stand proud as Deaf, and to celebrate their language and culture. It also works to break down barriers, fears and misconceptions. NZSL Week lets Deaf New Zealanders put their hands up and be seen!
Pink Shirt Day May.
Aotearoa will become a sea of pink as schools, workplaces and communities join the Pink Shirt Day movement. By taking part you will help stamp out bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusion.
Techweek May.
Techweek fosters the growth of New Zealand's technology and innovation sectors by providing the national ecosystem with a week-long opportunity for connection and collaboration. Techweek is an independent platform where individuals and organisations can showcase their unique and inspiring innovation stories.
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoan Language Week last week of May.
This page on Tāhūrangi offers suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners explore and celebrate the language of Sāmoa.
June
International Languages Week June.
This week provides an opportunity to showcase and promote languages and cultures in your school and communities. Encourage the bi-lingual students in your school to be experts during International Languages Week and support them to share their language knowledge with others in the class.
Schools' Pride Week Third week of June.
Celebrating Schools’ Pride Week is an important way for school communities to affirm that rainbow students, staff and whānau belong.
Matariki June - July.
The pre-dawn rise of Matariki can be seen in June or July every year. By celebrating Matariki at your school, you can bring a range of NZC principles to life. Students can explore values, develop key competencies, and examine social science concepts.
Matariki Public Holiday dates - Te Papa Tongarewa - Dates for the Matariki public holiday.
July
Te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week Language Week Second week of July.
This resource on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the language of Kiribati.
August
Cook Islands Language Week August.
This resource on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the languages of the Cook Islands.
Maths Week/Pāngarau Wiki second week of August.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Association of Mathematics Teachers, several resources are written and made available to teachers and students in Y1–11.
Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa - Philippines National Language Month - all of August.
More information:
Sorted Money Month all of August.
Money Month is the annual public awareness and engagement campaign coordinated by Te Ara Ahunga Ora in partnership with the financial capability community. This campaign previously ran for a week but has been extended to a month in 2023 to ensure New Zealanders have the chance to learn more about financial capability.
September
Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week second-to-last week of August.
This resource on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the indigenous Tonga language and culture.
Conservation Week | Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa first week of September.
Capture your students' natural curiosity about the world they live in and raise awareness about Aotearoa New Zealand as you involve them in this year’s Conservation Week. This week is all about getting out and discovering the conservation areas that are just outside your door.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Hepetema.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week is an annual campaign led by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori promoting te reo as New Zealand’s language and a language for all New Zealanders. Whānau from across Aotearoa, New Zealand, including organisations, schools, workplaces and homes, are encouraged to give te reo Māori a go.
New Zealand Chinese Language Week Last week of September.
New Zealand Chinese Language Week is a Kiwi-led initiative encouraging New Zealanders to discover Chinese language and culture.
October
Te ‘Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week Last week of September - first week of October.
This resource on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the indigenous Tuvalu language and culture.
Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week Second week of October.
This resource on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the Fijian language.
Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week Third week of October.
This resource on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the indigenous Niue language and culture.
Te Vāiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week Last week of October.
This resource on Tāhūrangi contains suggested activities and curated website links to help you and your learners learn about and celebrate the language of Tokelau.
November
Diwali mid-October - mid-November.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights, is a five-day-long Hindu celebration. Diwali is a great opportunity to engage with the local Indian Hindu community, especially those members who are families at school.
Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik - Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week second week of November.
Follow the link above for more information on the Ministry for Pacific Peoples' website.
Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik - Solomon Islands Pidgin Language week last week of November.
Follow the link above for more information on the Ministry for Pacific Peoples' website.
Other events
Olympic Games For more information about the next games, visit the Olympic Games website.
Olympic Games contains a collection of teaching ideas from previous Olympic Games to help you share the Olympic spirit with your school and community.
Commonwealth Games For more information on Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games , visit the Commonwealth Sport website.
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