Celebrate Auckland’s 170th Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta out on the Waitemata Harbour

Auckland Anniversary Day

History of the Auckland Anniversary Day
Original Account of the First Auckland Anniversary Day
Websites on Auckland Anniversary Day
Resources on Auckland Anniversary Day
How to Search Index New Zealand for Information on Auckland Anniversary Day

History of Auckland Anniversary Day

Auckland Anniversary Day was established by Governor Hobson's direction, over Willoughby Shortland's signature, in 1842.

The New Zealand Government Gazette of 26 January, 1842 (Volume 2, 4th Edition) carried a notice stating "Saturday, the 29th instant, being the Second Anniversary of the establishment of the Colony, His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that day to be held a General Holiday, on which occasion the Public Offices will be closed."

Read about more the founding of Auckland: 1840–1869.

Original Account of the First Auckland Anniversary Day

From 'The City of Auckland New Zealand, 1840-1920' by John Barr:

..Auckland remained the Capital until February, 1865.

.. The following extract from 'The New Zealand Advertises and Bay of Islands Gazette' of September 24, 1840, sets forth in detail the ceremony attending The establishment of the city: -"The barque 'Anna Watson', having on board several officers of the Government, mechanics, labourers etc., anchored in the Harbour of Waitemata on Tuesday, the 15th instant, and the site for the intended settlement on its shores having been selected by the Surveyor- General, on Friday, the 18th September, at 1p.m., the ceremony of taking formal possession in the name of Her Majesty was duly performed.

The whole party having landed, the British Flag was hoisted on a staff, erected on a bold promontory commanding a view of the entire harbour. The Flag was immediately saluted by fifteen guns from the barque 'Platina', after which Her Majesty's health was drunk at the foot of the flagstaff, and greeted by three time three hearty cheers. The 'Anna Watson' then fired a salute of seven guns in honour of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, which was responded to by three hearty cheers, and 'one cheer more' from those on shore.

The party then returned to the Anna Watson, and after partaking of luncheon, a regatta took place between a five-oared gig belonging to the Surveyor-General and a six-oared gig belonging to the Anna Watson, both pulled in excellent style by amateurs. This was followed by a match for a purse of five pounds between two whale-boats pulled by Sailors, and by another between two large canoes paddled by Natives.

And Thus concluded the ceremony of founding the first British Settlement established under the auspices of the Government in this part of New Zealand; a ceremony the more interesting, as this settlement is intended for the future Capital of what we may venture to predict will one day become a mighty Empire. The Officers of the Government present on the occasion consisted of the 1 Police Magistrate, the 2 Colonial Surgeon, the 3 Harbour Master, the 4 Superintendent of Works, the 5 Sub-Protector of Aborigines, and the 6 Surveyor-General and his lady."

1 Captain William Cornwallis Symonds; 2 John Johnston, M.D.; 3 Captain
David Rough; 4 William Mason; 5 George Clark, jun.; 6 Felton Mathew
(Captain Rough states in his reminiscences --

From 'The City of Auckland New Zealand', 1840-1920 by John Barr

Websites on Auckland Anniversary Day

Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
1842 First Anniversary Day Regatta
2006 Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta – Old Timers’ Race

Ocean bridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta 2010
Celebrating Auckland’s 170th regatta.

Auckland City Council Auckland Anniversary Weekend Celebrations
Includes the Auckland Seafood Festival, Auckland International Buskers Festival, Ports of Auckland Boat Tours, International Customs Day, Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival.

Resources on Auckland Anniversary Day

These resources are available only in the Reference Department, Waitakere Central Library

New Zealand Herald on Microfilm
29 January 1932, p.4. "Old time regattas."
26 January, 1989, s.2, p. 5 'Vantage Spots For Public',' Course Eases Crowded and Friend races makes history Sea.'
26 January 1989, s.2. p. 6. Mary Clement. Fine Day Ends on Sour Note. Looks at the regatta of 1872
26 January 1989, s.2. p.6. Auckland Anniversary Regatta feature : "Colin ready to lend helping hand"
18 January, 1997 s.3. p.9. Mary Clement : "Regatta in the days of flying machines."
6 January 1997, A5. ', p 62. Moore,Colin. ' Meanwhile up at Mahurangi.
18-19 September 1999 A5. ‘Herald’ backs anniversary regatta
7 December, 2007. "Classic yacht sails again in Auckland."

Click to enlarge

Plus many other newspaper articles in the New Zealand Herald microfilm collection.

Weekly Graphic and Ladies Journal
24 January 1891, p.17. Yachting Costumes.
The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal was founded in 1880 by Henry Brett of Henry Brett & Publishing Company, Auckland.

The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal became the Weekly Graphic and New Zealand Mail on the 4 April 1908 and was absorbed into the Auckland Weekly News from 25 June 1913. This resource can be viewed in the Reference Department.

How to Search Index New Zealand for Information on Auckland Anniversary Day

For additional information search INNZ (Index New Zealand database on the e-resources page e-resources page.)

To receive the most relevant results search under keyword search "Auckland Anniversary."