New Zealand awareness days and key dates

Friday 1 May 2026

• Organic Week (New Zealand)

  Awareness1 to 10 May 2026

  Organic Week in New Zealand is held in early May with events and talks on organic food, soil health and growing.

• Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon

  Awareness

  The UN recognises Vesak, the most sacred day for Buddhists, which falls on the full moon in May and marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing.

Saturday 2 May 2026

• World Tuna Day

  Awareness

  World Tuna Day on 2 May highlights the importance of sustainable tuna fishing for food security and the economy.

Sunday 3 May 2026

• International Compost Awareness Week

  Awareness3 to 9 May 2026

  A week in early May that promotes composting and the use of compost to improve soil and cut waste.

• International Dawn Chorus Day

  Awareness

  A celebration of birdsong held on the first Sunday in May, when people get up early to listen to the dawn chorus.

• World Press Freedom Day

  Awareness

  World Press Freedom Day on 3 May defends media independence and honours journalists who have lost their lives doing their job.

Monday 4 May 2026

• New Zealand Sign Language Week

  Awareness4 to 10 May 2026

  A week in May celebrating New Zealand Sign Language, one of the country's official languages, held 4 to 10 May in 2026.

• Road Safety Week (New Zealand)

  Awareness4 to 10 May 2026

  Road Safety Week in New Zealand is held each May, urging everyone to act as road safety heroes and reduce deaths and injuries.

Tuesday 5 May 2026

• African World Heritage Day

  Awareness

  A UNESCO day on 5 May that celebrates Africa's natural and cultural heritage and supports its protection.

• International Day of the Midwife

  Awareness

  A global day on 5 May celebrating midwives and calling for more investment in midwifery.

• Lag BaOmer

  Religious and cultural

  Lag BaOmer is a joyful Jewish day on the 33rd day of the Omer count, often marked with bonfires, parades and outings.

• World Asthma Day

  Awareness

  A global day on the first Tuesday of May that raises awareness of asthma and better care for people living with it.

• World Hand Hygiene Day

  Awareness

  Held on 5 May each year, WHO's day for promoting clean hands in health care to prevent infections picked up during treatment.

• World Portuguese Language Day

  Awareness

  World Portuguese Language Day on 5 May celebrates the Portuguese language and the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Wednesday 6 May 2026

• World Maternal Mental Health Day

  Awareness

  A global day on the first Wednesday of May that raises awareness of mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth.

Friday 8 May 2026

• International Thalassaemia Day

  Awareness

  Marked on 8 May, this day raises awareness of thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder, and supports patients and better access to care.

• Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War

  Awareness8 to 9 May 2026

  On 8 and 9 May the UN remembers all victims of the Second World War, alongside national victory and liberation days.

• World Ovarian Cancer Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 8 May that unites patient groups to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and push for earlier diagnosis.

Saturday 9 May 2026

• World Fair Trade Day

  Awareness

  Held on the second Saturday of May to celebrate fair trade and the producers, makers and businesses that work to its principles.

• World Migratory Bird Day (May)

  Awareness

  World Migratory Bird Day is held twice a year, on the second Saturday of May and October, to raise awareness of migratory birds and their protection.

Sunday 10 May 2026

• International Day of Argania

  Awareness

  The International Day of Argania on 10 May recognises the argan tree and its value for biodiversity and for rural women in Morocco.

• Mother's Day

  Commercial and retail

  A day to thank mums. In the UK it is Mothering Sunday, three weeks before Easter Sunday. In the USA it is the second Sunday in May.

• Rotuman Language Week

  Religious and cultural10 to 16 May 2026

  A New Zealand week in mid May for the Rotuman language, one of the Pacific Language Weeks. In 2026 it ran 10 to 16 May.

• World Lupus Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 10 May that raises awareness of lupus and calls for earlier diagnosis, better care and more research.

Monday 11 May 2026

• Hospice Awareness Week (New Zealand)

  Awareness11 to 17 May 2026

  A week in May when hospices across New Zealand explain their free palliative care and thank supporters, held 11 to 17 May in 2026.

Tuesday 12 May 2026

• International Day of Plant Health

  Awareness

  The International Day of Plant Health on 12 May shows how protecting plants from pests and disease helps end hunger and protect nature.

• International Nurses Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 12 May, Florence Nightingale's birthday, recognising the work of nurses.

• ME Awareness Day

  Awareness

  A day on 12 May that raises awareness of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), also marked worldwide as World ME Day.

Thursday 14 May 2026

• Ascension Day

  Religious and cultural

  Ascension Day falls on a Thursday 39 days after Easter Sunday and marks Jesus ascending into heaven.

• Thy Kingdom Come

  Religious and cultural14 to 24 May 2026

  A global Christian prayer movement held over the eleven days from Ascension Day to Pentecost each year.

Friday 15 May 2026

• International Day of Families

  Awareness

  The International Day of Families on 15 May raises awareness of the social, economic and demographic issues that affect families.

• Pink Shirt Day (New Zealand)

  Awareness

  A day in May when New Zealanders wear pink to stand against bullying and promote kindness in schools, workplaces and communities.

Saturday 16 May 2026

• International Day of Light

  Awareness

  The International Day of Light on 16 May celebrates the role of light in science, culture, education and sustainable development.

• International Day of Living Together in Peace

  Awareness

  The International Day of Living Together in Peace on 16 May encourages people to accept differences and live together in unity and harmony.

Sunday 17 May 2026

• International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

  Awareness

  A global day on 17 May standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people and opposing discrimination.

• World Hypertension Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 17 May that encourages people to check their blood pressure and to prevent and control high blood pressure.

• World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

  Awareness

  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on 17 May explores how the internet and digital technology can benefit society and close the digital divide.

Monday 18 May 2026

• International Museum Day

  Awareness

  International Museum Day on 18 May highlights the role of museums in society, with museums worldwide running events around a yearly theme.

• Youth Week (New Zealand)

  Awareness18 to 24 May 2026

  Youth Week in New Zealand is a May week of youth led events celebrating young people and their contribution to communities.

Tuesday 19 May 2026

• World Fair Play Day

  Awareness

  World Fair Play Day on 19 May promotes respect, inclusion and fairness in sport, and opposes violence and doping.

Wednesday 20 May 2026

• International Clinical Trials Day

  Awareness

  A day on 20 May recognising clinical research and the people who take part in trials.

• World Bee Day

  Awareness

  World Bee Day on 20 May raises awareness of bees and other pollinators and the need to protect them and their habitats.

• World Metrology Day

  Awareness

  Marked on 20 May each year to highlight the science of measurement and the anniversary of the Metre Convention of 1875.

Thursday 21 May 2026

• Global Accessibility Awareness Day

  Awareness

  A global day on the third Thursday of May encouraging everyone to think and learn about digital access and inclusion.

• International Tea Day

  Awareness

  International Tea Day on 21 May celebrates tea's cultural heritage and promotes sustainable production and fair trade from field to cup.

• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

  Awareness

  On 21 May the UN celebrates the world's many cultures and the role of cultural dialogue in peace and development.

Friday 22 May 2026

• International Day for Biological Diversity

  Awareness

  The International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May raises awareness of the loss of nature and the action needed to protect it.

• Shavuot

  Religious and cultural22 to 23 May 2026

  Shavuot is a two-day Jewish festival, seven weeks after Passover, marking the giving of the Torah at Sinai.

Saturday 23 May 2026

• International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

  Awareness

  The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on 23 May calls for action on a preventable childbirth injury that leaves many women injured and isolated.

• World Turtle Day

  Awareness

  Held on 23 May, World Turtle Day raises awareness of turtles and tortoises and the threats to their survival and habitats.

Sunday 24 May 2026

• International Day of the Markhor

  Awareness

  The International Day of the Markhor on 24 May raises awareness of a threatened wild mountain goat of Central and South Asia.

• Pentecost (Whit Sunday)

  Religious and cultural

  Pentecost, also called Whit Sunday, falls seven weeks after Easter Sunday and celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Monday 25 May 2026

• Africa Day

  Religious and cultural

  Africa Day on 25 May marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and celebrates African unity and heritage.

• Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories

  Awareness25 to 31 May 2026

  From 25 to 31 May the UN marks a week of solidarity with the peoples of the territories that are not yet self-governing.

• World Football Day

  Awareness

  World Football Day on 25 May celebrates football as a tool for peace, inclusion and the empowerment of women and girls.

Wednesday 27 May 2026

• Eid al-Adha

  Religious and cultural

  Eid al-Adha is the Muslim festival of sacrifice, held during the Hajj pilgrimage season on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah.

Friday 29 May 2026

• International Day of UN Peacekeepers

  Awareness

  The International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May honours peacekeepers and remembers those who have died serving under the UN flag.

Saturday 30 May 2026

• International Day of Potato

  Awareness

  The International Day of Potato on 30 May celebrates one of the world's most important food crops and the farmers who grow it.

• World MS Day

  Awareness

  A global awareness day for multiple sclerosis held on 30 May each year.

Sunday 31 May 2026

• Samoa Language Week

  Religious and cultural31 May to 6 June 2026

  A New Zealand week in late May into early June for the Samoan language, one of the Pacific Language Weeks. In 2026 it ran 31 May to 6 June.

• Trinity Sunday

  Religious and cultural

  Trinity Sunday is the Christian festival of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, held on the Sunday after Pentecost, 56 days after Easter.

• World No Tobacco Day

  Awareness

  World No Tobacco Day on 31 May raises awareness of the harm caused by tobacco and the tactics of the tobacco industry.