King's Birthday
The King’s Birthday public holiday is celebrated each year in New Zealand on the first Monday in June, even though King Charles III was born on 14 November 1948.
All our libraries will be closed on Monday 5 June 2023, except Tūranga which is open from 10am to 5pm. Foundation Cafe will be open from 8.30am to 4pm.
King's Birthday
For over a hundred years, the birthday of the reigning King or Queen has been celebrated in June each year in both Britain and New Zealand. New Zealand celebrates this holiday because the King is the head of state of New Zealand.
New Zealand’s form of government is known as a constitutional monarchy. The King’s official representative in New Zealand is the Governor-General who carries out some political duties on behalf of the King, such as opening Parliament and presenting honours to the people who have been awarded them. On the King’s Birthday, the King's Birthday Honours List, which is a list of New Zealand people who have earned a special award that year – is released.
King Charles III
Images of Charles in Canterbury Stories