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For almost two years I called New Zealand home and nearly every minute of every day was an absolute dream. Not only because the beauty of New Zealand is incomparable to anywhere else in the world that I’ve been, but because my NZ journey led me to some of the most amazing friends I’ve ever had in my life. And my bestie of the bunch welcomed her first baby just a few months ago, which immediately had me asking “When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand?” so that I could plan to celebrate her properly!

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Wee Oliver (“Ollie”) Ross came into the world in early March, and he could not be a luckier little fella! To have a mom and dad like my friends, Nat and Kinny, is the greatest gift a child could ever ask for. Not to mention both of their wonderful families, who no doubt will help teach him how to be as kind, loving, funny, and generous as they all are!

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So to ensure that Ollie and Kinny are prepared to give Nat the Mother's Day celebration she deserves, I’ve put together alllllll the holiday information those two boys could possibly ever need to ensure she always has a very Happy Mother’s Day!

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After all, as a first-time mother, this Mother’s Day is the perfect time to spoil Nat with all of her favorite things and to celebrate the special woman that she is!

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When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand?

What Day is Mother’s Day in New Zealand: 2023 – 2033

History of Mothers Day

Mother’s Day in New Zealand

Mother’s Day Around the World

How is Mother’s Day celebrated in New Zealand?

Traditional Mother’s Day Gifts

Why New Zealand Moms Deserve Their Own Special Day

FAQs: When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand?

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When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. This year Mother’s Day falls on May 14th, 2023, as is the case in several other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Is Mother’s Day an Official Public Holiday?

No, Mother's Day is not an official annual public holiday in New Zealand. However, because it is a significant day for people to express gratitude for the special women in their lives, some weekend businesses may choose to give their employees the day off or to offer special promotions to celebrate the occasion.

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Why does the date of Mother’s Day change year after year?

Although Mother’s Day in NZ is always celebrated on the second Sunday of May, the date of this annual event fluctuates. This variation occurs because the calendar year is not an exact multiple of seven days, so the second Sunday of May falls on different days from year to year.

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Therefore, the date of Mother’s Day last year will not be the same as the date of it this year, nor will it be the same as it is the following year!

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What Date is Mother’s Day in New Zealand: 2023 to 2032

Given that the date of Mother’s Day in NZ changes from year to year, you better mark your calendar accordingly in order to properly plan for this special occassion!

From now until 2032, Mother’s Day in New Zealand falls on the following Sundays:

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About Mother’s Day

Mother's Day is an annual holiday dedicated to recognizing the influence of mothers and honoring the efforts of mothers and mother figures all around the world. This annual event serves as the perfect opportunity to show our love and gratitude for all of their hard work.

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Early History of Mother’s Day

Some historians suggest that the origins of Mother's Day date back to the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of mother goddesses.

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In ancient Greece, Rhea was known as the “Mother of the Gods” and every spring a festival commenced to celebrate this god of nature and fertility.

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Similarly, in ancient Rome, the Megalesia festival took place in early April to celebrate Cybele, known to the Romans as the “Great Mother.” Although a more religious-focused holiday than a secular one, it was also a time to celebrate motherhood.

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Such ancient events were often linked to the importance of motherhood and fertility, with people coming together to honor and celebrate the power and influence of the mothers in their lives. These celebrations took place centuries before anything of the sort in the West and are therefore considered by many the earliest Mother’s Days on record.

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Modern History of Mother’s Day

The 16th-century Christian festival known as "Mothering Sunday" serves as a clear precedent for our modern-day Mother's Day. Occurring on the fourth Sunday of Lent, this celebration was originally observed as a day when the faithful returned to their "mother church," or the church in which they were raised and baptized, to attend special church services and to bring gifts for their mothers and other female relatives.

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In turn, English colonists in the Americas brought with them the tradition of Mothering Sunday, which eventually merged with American Mother's Day traditions.

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United States Origin

There are a number of stories surrounding the origin of Mother’s Day in the United States; however, two women in particular -- Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis -- are most well-known for helping to establish this national holiday.

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Julia Ward Howe, an American author, poet, and activist best known for writing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic,” is considered one of the earliest pioneers of the holiday in the United States. In 1870, she wrote a "Mother's Day Proclamation," a call to action for mothers around the world to come together to promote peace and social reform. Although Howe's plea for a Mother's Day did not gain widespread recognition at the time, many consider it the first public declaration of the holiday.

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Then in 1907, Philadelphia schoolteacher Anna Jarvis began a movement to set up a national Mother's Day in honor of her mother who had passed away. She wanted to not only pay tribute to her mother's legacy but to recognize the contributions of all mothers everywhere.

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In 1908, Jarvis held the first Mother's Day celebration at a church in West Virginia, and the holiday quickly gained popularity across the country. Then in 1914, thanks in large part to Jarvis’ advocacy, US President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother's Day a national holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

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This proclamation in turn influenced many countries around the world to designate the second Sunday of May as their official Mother's Day.

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Why is Mother’s Day in May in NZ?

New Zealanders celebrate Mother’s Day in May because it was inspired by the American tradition. When the United States officially designated the second Sunday of every May as Mother’s Day back in 1914, New Zealand followed suit. It has since become a beloved Kiwi tradition.

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Is Mother’s Day in NZ same as Australia?

Yes, it is! Australia celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of every May as well. In 2023, it takes place on the 14th May.

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Mother’s Day in New Zealand: Why is it important?

Mother's Day is an important occasion as it provides the perfect opportunity for the people of New Zealand to honor and recognize the special mothers and mother figures in their lives. It is a day for family members to pay their respect for the sacrifices that mothers make in raising their children, often while balancing hard work, family, and personal responsibilities.

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Is Mother's Day the same in all countries?

No, it is not. While the tradition of a day dedicated to celebrating motherhood has been observed in different countries for centuries throughout many parts of the world, the dates of these commemorations and the traditions behind them can vary widely.

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United States

In the USA, people celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of each May. This observance can be traced back to the early 20th century when Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, succeeded in her campaign to establish a national holiday to honor all mothers.

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This US tradition in turn gained global recognition and greatly influenced the date for the celebration of Mother’s Day in many countries worldwide.

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Australia

Like its Kiwi neighbor New Zealand, Australia recognizes Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May.

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United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day (or Mothering Sunday) is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which can vary each year depending on the lunar cycle. Back in the 16th century, it was initially observed as a religious holiday when people returned to their mother church for a special service to honor the Virgin Mary, but later evolved into a day to celebrate mothers.

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Canada

Like its North American counterpart, Canada also observes this national holiday on the second Sunday of May.

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Latin America

In contrast to other countries around the world, parts of Latin America recognize Mother's Day on different dates.

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In places such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize, Mother's Day is celebrated on May 10th of each year. If this holiday happens to fall on a weekday, mothers stay home from work and children stay home from school in order to observe the day.

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Argentina, however, commemorates Mother's Day on the third weekend of October to coincide with the celebration of the Virgin Mary.

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And still in other countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May as it is in New Zealand.

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Arab countries

In many Arab countries, Mother's Day is observed on March 21st, which is also typically the first day of Spring.

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South Africa

South Africa commemorates Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May, just like in many other countries around the world.

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East European countries and West Asian countries

And in some Eastern European and West Asian countries, Mother's Day is celebrated on March 8th to coincide with International Women's Day.

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How is Mother’s Day celebrated in New Zealand?

Celebrated with much enthusiasm and fervor, Mother's Day in New Zealand is a special day honoring the efforts of mothers and the importance of mother figures across the country. Some traditional ways in which to celebrate these maternal bonds in New Zealand include:

• Giving the perfect gift: One of the most common ways of celebrating Mother's Day in New Zealand is through the giving of gifts. Children and adults alike often give their mothers flowers, chocolates, special cakes, or other tokens of appreciation on this special day.
• Family gatherings: Mother's Day is also a time for family members to come together and spend quality time with their mothers. This may involve going out for a meal, taking a bit of a trip, or simply spending the day together at home.
• Special events: Many businesses such as restaurants and cafes offer special Mother's Day menus and deals to help families celebrate the occasion.
• Personal gestures: Mother's Day is also a time for personal gestures of appreciation and love. Children may write letters or make homemade Mother’s Day cards expressing their gratitude, while others may simply spend quality time with their moms.

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Traditional NZ Mother’s Day Gifts

For New Zealanders wanting to present their moms with a special gift on this meaningful day, some of the most popular and best gifts for Mother’s Day include: 

• Flowers and plants
• Jewelry
• Chocolates
• Perfume
• Spa treatments or a spa day
• Gift basket of mom's favourite things
• Candles
• Personalized gifts such as photo albums, mugs, calendars, and keychains
• Gift cards to favorite restaurants, shops, or online retailers
• Handmade crafts such as a made-from-scratch greeting card, drawing, or painting
• Personal poems or songs
• Designated quality time together such as watching mom’s favourite movie 
• Doing the household chores
• Breakfast in bed or making a homemade special meal
• Dinner out at a favorite restaurant

Traditional Mother's Day gifts provide a unique way to show appreciation for the mothers and mother figures in your life. Whether it's something handmade, something store-bought, or the simple act of spending time together, there are heaps of great Mother's Day gifts to choose from to make your mom feel extra special.

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Why NZ Moms deserve a Special day of recognition

Mothers and mother figures play an invaluable role in shaping our lives and nurturing us from infancy to adulthood and beyond. They are often the unsung heroes in the world who make countless sacrifices and put their own needs aside to provide for those they love. So a national holiday dedicated to celebrating and honoring mothers offers the perfect opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation for the love, care, and support that mothers unconditionally provide.

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FAQs: When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand?

Mother's Day is an important special occasion celebrated around the world, including in New Zealand. However, with the date of Mother's Day changing year after year, it is not uncommon for people to have questions about when it is commemorated. To help clear up any confusion, here are the answers to a few additional frequently asked questions about such celebrations in New Zealand.

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Do they celebrate Mother’s Day in New Zealand?

Yes, New Zealand celebrates Mother's Day each year on the second Sunday of May. In fact, many other countries, including the United States and Canada, also celebrate Mother's Day on the same day. This shared date is a result of the widespread adoption of the holiday in the early 20th century.

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Why is Mother’s Day different in Britain?

Mother's Day, or Mothering Sunday as people refer to it in the United Kingdom, is a different date than Mother's Day in New Zealand for historical reasons.

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Traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, Mothering Sunday originated with the early Christians in the UK. It was a day when people would return to their hometowns to attend church and pay homage to the Virgin Mary. Over time, the holiday evolved into a day to honor the mother of the family, and the traditions of gift-giving and card-sending now associated with Mother's Day began to emerge.

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In contrast, Mothers Day NZ is based on the USA's tradition surrounding the official holiday, which was established thanks to the efforts of American Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century.

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While these two countries recognized Mother's Day on different dates, the sentiment behind both holidays is the same: to celebrate maternal bonds and honor the important role that mothers play in our lives.

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When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand and Australia?

New Zealand and Australia celebrate Mother’s Day on the same day, which is the second Sunday of May.

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When is Father’s Day in New Zealand?

Father's Day in New Zealand is celebrated on the first Sunday of September. This year, Father's Day is on September 3, 2023.

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When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand this year?

In 2023, New Zealand celebrates Mothers Day on Sunday, May 14th.

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When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand next year?

Mother’s Day 2024 in NZ will be celebrated on Sunday, May 12th.

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When was Mother’s Day in New Zealand 2022?

In 2022, New Zealand commemorated Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8th.

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Is it Mother’s Day in New Zealand today?

No…and yes! Although New Zealand officially celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of every May, every day of the year is the perfect time to honor and pay respect to the moms in your life!

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Welcome to the world, Ollie!

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When is Mother’s Day in New Zealand: The Wrap-Up

Mother's Day in New Zealand is a special time of year when families come together to celebrate the incredible bond between mothers and their children. This article provides you with all the essential information you need to know to observe the holiday properly, including the official Mother’s Day dates in New Zealand for the next 10 years and great ideas for the perfect gift or experience to make this day unforgettable for the special women in your life.

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So whether you’re planning to celebrate with your mother, grandmother, or any other maternal figure, mark your calendars and get ready to show your appreciation and love with a thoughtful gift or a unique experience that the moms in your life will cherish forever.

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On a personal note:

Mother’s Day this year holds an extra special meaning thanks to the healthy and happy arrival of Ollie into the world. So I’d like to wish Nat an extra Happy Mother’s Day – you are the definition of love and the most wonderful new mom!

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And you created a RIDICULOUSLY adorable baby.