South Canterbury Anniversary Day is observed in the southern part of New Zealand's Canterbury region on the fourth Monday in September. This day commemorates the arrival of the first European settlers to the area, which was initially inhabited by Māori iwi. The first Europeans were French whalers who settled in Akaroa in the late 1830s, followed by the establishment of the Canterbury Association in 1848 to create a colony on the South Island. Although South Canterbury has never been a province, it celebrates its own anniversary, reflecting the region's distinct identity and history. The holiday coincides with Dominion Day, although the latter has not been widely celebrated for decades. Despite attempts by settlers to establish a separate provincial government in the mid-19th century, these efforts were unsuccessful, yet the region continues to honor its heritage through this anniversary.