Boxing Day in New Zealand

Posted by CelebrateZone.com on Thu, May 11, 2023

Boxing Day in New Zealand

Boxing Day is a holiday in New Zealand.

When is Boxing Day in New Zealand

Boxing Day is celebrated on 26, December, 2023 in New Zealand.

About Boxing Day in New Zealand

Boxing Day is a public holiday in New Zealand, celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas. It is also known as St. Stephen’s Day in some parts of the world.

The origin of the holiday is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the UK during the Middle Ages, when wealthy families would give boxes of gifts to their servants on the day after Christmas.

In New Zealand, Boxing Day is traditionally a day for sports and outdoor activities, such as cricket, beach volleyball, and horse racing. Many people also use the day to visit friends and family, or to go shopping for post-Christmas sales.

Some cities and towns hold Boxing Day parades or festivals, and there are often fireworks displays in the evening. However, in recent years, there has been some controversy surrounding the commercialization of the holiday, with some people calling for a return to its traditional roots as a day for charitable giving and helping those in need.

History of Boxing Day in New Zealand

Boxing Day is a public holiday in New Zealand that is celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas. The holiday has its roots in the United Kingdom, where the day was traditionally a time when servants and tradespeople would receive a Christmas box or gift from their employers.

The practice of giving Christmas boxes dates back to the Middle Ages, when wealthy landowners would give boxes of food and other gifts to their servants and tenants as a gesture of goodwill. By the 19th century, the tradition had evolved into a more formalized practice, with employers giving their workers a day off and a gift of money or food.

In New Zealand, Boxing Day became a public holiday in 1874, following the passage of the Bank Holidays Act. The holiday was initially celebrated as a day of rest and relaxation, with many people spending the day at the beach or attending sporting events.

Over time, Boxing Day has become an important shopping day in New Zealand, with many retailers offering post-Christmas sales and discounts. The holiday is also associated with the start of the summer holiday season, with many families taking the opportunity to travel or spend time together.

Today, Boxing Day remains an important public holiday in New Zealand, providing a day of rest and relaxation for many people after the busy Christmas period.

How is Boxing Day celebrated in New Zealand

Boxing Day is celebrated in New Zealand on December 26th, the day after Christmas. It is a public holiday and is celebrated in various ways across the country. Here are some of the ways in which Boxing Day is celebrated in New Zealand:

  1. Shopping: Boxing Day is known for its sales, and many people in New Zealand take advantage of this by going shopping. Retailers offer discounts and special deals, and people flock to malls and stores to grab the best bargains.

  2. Sports: Sports are a big part of Boxing Day celebrations in New Zealand. Cricket and horse racing are popular sports that are played on this day. The Boxing Day Test match is a highly anticipated event in the cricket calendar, and many people attend or watch it on TV.

  3. Outdoor activities: Many people in New Zealand take advantage of the warm summer weather and spend Boxing Day outdoors. They go to the beach, have picnics, or go hiking. It is a great day to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors.

  4. Charity: Boxing Day is also a day to give back to the community. Many people in New Zealand donate to charities or volunteer their time to help those in need.

Overall, Boxing Day is a day of celebration and relaxation in New Zealand. It is a time to spend with family and friends, enjoy the outdoors, and take advantage of the sales and discounts offered by retailers.

Dates

Boxing Day will be celebrated in New Zealand on 2023-12-26, 2024-12-26, 2025-12-26, 2026-12-26, 2027-12-26 in the comming years.