Mother's Day

Mother's Day History

Mother's Day is dedicated to showing appreciation for the mothers, mother figures and maternal bonds within our lives. On this special day, families all around the country come together to express gratitude for the unconditional love, enduring support, and life-long contributions of these remarkable women. Mother's Day serves as a reminder of the vital role that mothers play in nurturing, guiding and shaping the future generations, ultimately strengthening families and communities across the nation.

Mother's Day traces its roots in New Zealand back to the early 20th century, influenced by the trend that began with the American proclamation of a national Mother's Day in 1914. The tradition quickly gained popularity among Kiwis, adopting similar practices and creating their own ways of honouring their mothers. Today, Mother's Day festivities in New Zealand typically include the gifting of hand-written cards, flowers, chocolates, and other tokens of love and gratitude, as well as enjoying quality time together with family members at home or at local events.

Mother’s Day in New Zealand is a day when families pause their busy lives, recognising and cherishing the tireless commitment and sacrifices made by the extraordinary women who have shaped their lives. Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.

Mother's Day facts

• Julia Ward Howe, the author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, came up with the notion of a Mother's Day in 1870. In a proclamation, she urged mothers to take a stand against sons killing the sons of other mothers.
• In the animal kingdom, Orangutan moms are the "primate champion" of motherhood, having the longest dependent care period among great apes, with their offspring weaning off at about 6 to 7 years old.
• Over the years, there has been an increase in the average age of mothers giving birth in New Zealand. According to Statistics New Zealand, in 2020, the median age of women giving birth was 31 years, compared to 29 years in 1990.
• New Zealand has made strides in improving maternal health, with the maternal mortality rate decreasing from 18 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 11 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.

In the News and Trending in NZ for Mother's Day

Top things to do in NZ for Mother's Day

• Send mom and grandma flowers. You can either pick them up and deliver them yourself if you are nearby or use one of many online services that ship directly to her door.
• Give mom a gift she will really appreciate - a day at the spa or a weekend off.
• Visit the Novotel hotel in Queenstown, located near Lake Wakatipu. The hotel offers a special Mother's Day brunch event, which includes a selection of hot and cold dishes, as well as a glass of sparkling wine.
• Check out the Mother's Day Concert at The Civic, located in Auckland. The Civic in Auckland holds a special Mother's Day concert every year featuring popular New Zealand musicians.