Father’s Day in NZ is celebrated on a different day that the rest of the world. It is celebrated on the first Sunday of September every year, which is the same as Australia. But why is that? And what is the story behind celebrating Father’s Day in NZ.

Let’s have a brief look at the history of Father’s Day in NZ and after that, let’ look at some fun gift ideas to surprise your dad with on this Father’s Day 2026 New Zealand.

History of Father’s Day in New Zealand

Father’s Day was never an officially celebrated holiday in NZ and it came to this land at the same time it did in Australia. When Sonora Smart Dodd, while attending a church service and a sermon about Mother’s Day,came up with the idea and put in her efforts to have a day honoring fathers recognized by the people, word spread around and soon after, many countries around the world followed suit.

Father’s Day in NZ was kind of an on and off thing for a while during its early years, where it also faced backlash from the communities and was seen as something demeaning and something that would “hurt the meaning of being a father” somehow. But as things started changing, more people came in front with proposal of recognizing Father’s Day officially and in 1937 the day started being celebrated.

There is still little clue to what made the first Sunday in September the official Father’s Day. Many speculations float around marketing and commercialization, and even for the reason to space out Mother’s Day and Father’s Day evenly in the year. To this day there are no official documents or evidences that can connect the dots and it does look like that the answers have been left behind in the past.

But anyway, at least we have a day that celebrates and honors fathers around the globe for all their hard work and sacrifices they make to raise their children and look after the family.

Gift Ideas for Father’s Day 2024

It might seem like that you still have time to figure out gifts and presents for Father’s Day to give to your dad. But time goes by fast, and before you know it, Father’s Day has arrived and you’re left picking out gifts at the last moment. So why not take your time now and pick out the best present for your dad today!!

        i.            Camping Gear: Camping and Men seem go to hand in hand quite often, don’t they? It’s hard to find a dad who doesn’t like to spend a day out in the wild. Well, what’re you waiting for; check out some amazing camping gear online that you can give your father this year as a gift!

      ii.            Shirts/Shoes/Ties: Here’s a tip from experience – You can never go wrong with Shirts and Ties as a gift. And when it comes to gifts from their kids, dads will happily wear anything they get and show it off to the world.

    iii.            Watches: Wrist watches never go out of fashion, and if you want to give one to your dad, there are some amazing affordable options available online.

     iv.            Mobile Phone covers: Okay this one is just for humor, but still, Get your dad a nice and elegant phone cover – after all, you yourself have seen that hideous monstrosity of junk that he calls his “phone cover”!!!

Celebrating the best Father’s Day with your Dad

Do everything you can to make this day special for your dad. And it doesn’t have to be expensive or anything, just simply spending the day with him doing his favorite things together is a gift enough to melt his heart. Come with wholesome and funny messages to write on a card to wish your dad.

And if you’re wondering “When is Father’s Day 2024 NZ”, it falls on the third Sunday of September, which is the 1^st of September in 2024.