Extended New Zealand Daylight Saving Hours

Photographer: Gareth Eyres
(www.exposure.co.nz)
Extended daylight saving hours in New Zealand is a campaign that started in 2006 to gain enough support to extend the daylight saving period in New Zealand.
A lot of people supported the proposed extension. There was even a news report saying that New Zealand farmers would probably appreciate the extra daylight hours at the end of the day.
Support for the Proposed Extension
New Zealand Tourism Guide felt that, overall, the industry would benefit from an extended daylight saving period.
TIANZ conducted research in an advisory role for the Ministry of Tourism and, from all accounts, the opinion was similar to a survey we carried out earlier this year. The vast majority of tourism operators were in favour of the extension.
All other industries and social groups also submitted their own research results.
Nationwide Petition - Closed 18th March 2007
Hon. Peter Dunne and Cr. Mark Holmes launched the nationwide petition in 2006 to extend daylight saving in New Zealand to give us a longer "summertime" and, therefore, a longer tourist season—particularly for overseas travellers.
The country will be able to make gains in:
- Energy saving
- Health and well-being
- Increased tourism
New Zealand Tourism Guide supported the campaign with newsletter coverage and distributing documents to gain the required mount of signatures.
New Zealand Daylight Saving Dates
The end of daylight saving in 2006 generated public debate and this led to a review of the period by the Government. A petition to extend daylight saving was presented to Parliament with an estimated 42,000 signatures.
On 30 April 2007, Hon Rick Barker, Minister of Internal Affairs announced a three week extension to the period of daylight saving.
Old Daylight Saving Period (1991 to 2006)
From the first Sunday in October each year until the third Sunday in March of the following year.
New Daylight Saving Period (2007 onwards)
From the last Sunday in September each year until the first Sunday in April of the following year.