November Eleventh
Every family deserves
a day of celebration
From grandparents to grandchildren — let's make 11 November the day New Zealand comes together to honour the love at the heart of every whānau.
Join thousands of New Zealanders calling on Parliament to make it official. It takes 10 seconds.
Home is where it all begins.
A society's values are written in its holidays. New Zealand has no day that puts families at the centre — yet.
Why families matter
Families are the first school of every human virtue — love, patience, sacrifice, resilience. The most powerful force for social good is not government programmes, but healthy families led by committed parents.
Research consistently shows that children who grow up in stable, loving homes have better educational outcomes, stronger mental health, lower rates of offending, and greater life satisfaction.
When families are strong, communities are safe. When communities are safe, the nation thrives. Nation building starts with family building.
Why a national day?
What we celebrate publicly, we prioritise culturally. A National Family Day signals to every New Zealander — parent, grandparent, child — that family life is something our society deeply values.
The United Nations already observes the International Day of Families on 15 May. Countries around the world mark national family days. It is time for Aotearoa New Zealand to do the same.
A dedicated day creates space for community events, school programmes, intergenerational connection, and a national conversation about what it means to be a family in modern New Zealand.
The significance of 11 · 11
Four Pillars of Family Love
The four "1"s in 11/11 represent four types of love that form the foundation of every healthy family — and every healthy society.
Children's Love
Filial Piety
Children whose identity and sense of worth flows from their family relationships grow into secure, generous adults who can love and serve others.
Sibling Love
Brotherhood & Sisterhood
Brothers and sisters learn to share, forgive, and support one another — skills that extend outward to neighbours, communities, and nations.
Conjugal Love
Partnership of Spouses
A loving, faithful partnership between spouses provides the stable, nurturing environment in which children can grow and flourish.
Parental Love
Living for One's Children
Parents who dedicate themselves to their children's flourishing are the most powerful force for good in any community.
Why 11 November?
Peace through Family
11 November is Armistice Day — the moment World War I ended and the world chose peace. We choose this date intentionally: lasting world peace is built on the foundation of peaceful families. The four ones in 11/11 are a daily reminder that peace starts at home.
"Every family in Aotearoa is a school of peace."
Voices from across Aotearoa
Families are already celebrating
"As a grandmother, I want my mokopuna to grow up knowing their family is the most precious thing in the world. A day for that feels long overdue."
Ruth
Auckland
"Our whānau spans three generations and two islands. A National Family Day would give us a reason to all come together — and we need more of those."
Peter
Taranaki
"I'm a solo parent and family is still everything to me. Every family looks different, and every one of them deserves to be celebrated."
James
Auckland
Take Action
Add your name
Join thousands of New Zealanders supporting National Family Day. We'll submit your name to the official petition to the New Zealand House of Representatives.
Sign the petition
Your signature goes to the official NZ Parliament petition
Three Ways to Help
Get Involved
Sign
Add your name to the petition
It takes 10 seconds. Every signature tells Parliament that New Zealanders want a National Family Day. Visit nzfamilyday.co.nz to sign now.
Add My NameCelebrate
Join Youth & Family Peace Day
Attend one of 12 regional events on 11 November — family fun runs, youth expos, community gatherings, and evening concerts across Aotearoa.
Contact UsLead
Become a Peace Ambassador
Young leaders aged 16–30 can train as Youth Peace Ambassadors, running "Peace Starts With My Whānau" workshops in schools and communities.
Get in TouchCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The petition asks that the House of Representatives urge the Government to fund and promote events relating to a new, annual National Family Day, preferably on 11 November.
11 November is Armistice Day — the day World War I ended. Its symbolism is intentional: lasting peace is built from the foundation of strong families. The four "1"s in 11/11 also represent the four pillars of family love: children's love, sibling love, conjugal love, and parental love — the heart of every healthy family and society.
The United Nations observes the International Day of Families on 15 May, but New Zealand does not currently have its own designated National Family Day. This campaign is asking the Government to create one.
This campaign is led by Universal Peace Federation New Zealand (UPF NZ), a registered NGO in General Consultative Status with the United Nations ECOSOC. UPF NZ works across New Zealand in partnership with faith communities, civic organisations, and schools.
About 10 seconds. The online petition is hosted at nzfamilyday.co.nz and only requires your name and email address.
Yes — the petition is open to all New Zealanders regardless of background, faith, or family structure. We believe every New Zealander values family, and every signature counts.
Absolutely. You can volunteer at regional events, become a Youth Peace Ambassador, share the petition with your network, or invite us to speak at your school, workplace, or faith community. Contact us at secretariat@upfnz.org.