Dutch Week - New Zealand
What is Dutch Week
Launched in 2021, Dutch Week is an annual celebration of all things Dutch where the local Dutch community and businesses come together to organise family friendly events across the country showcasing Dutch culture, expertise, language, heritage and food.
Dutch Week aims to enhance the visibility of local Dutch communities and the contributions they make to a diverse Aotearoa New Zealand. It lets people share in the strong connections between the Netherlands and New Zealand.
Dutch Week 2026 – 18 April to 3 May
Festivities kick off on Saturday 18 April with the Big Dutch Day Out at the Windmill (De Molen) in Foxton where people can enjoy Dutch art, culture, music, food, and games.
This will be followed by more family friendly events across the country including; Orange Bike Rides in several locations, vrijmarkten for the children at various Dutch clubs, colourful King's Day parties, and a number of prominent buildings and monuments will light up in orange during the week.
Dutch Week also showcases the Dutch business community through networking events held by the Dutch Business Association.
Big Dutch Day Out - Foxton
Launching National Dutch Week in Foxton on 18 April! Enjoy the sounds of traditional Amsterdam street music, dress up in national Dutch costume, try your hand at Dutch games, and feast on tasty Dutch treats and street food.
Visit the iconic De Molen Windmill and step into the Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre to discover the stories of Dutch people who made Aotearoa home.
Find out what's happening atBig Dutch Day Out - 18 April
Dutch Week Community Outreach - De Molen Needs Your Help
Opened in 2003, The Foxton Windmill Trust owns and operates, De Molen (The Mill), an authentic, fully working replica of a 17th century Dutch Flour Mill. The trust is charged with maintaining and operating de Molen with volunteer and employed staff operating the mill and associated Dutch fusion, Cafe de Molen.
De Molen is the beating heart of tourism in Horowhenua and creates a positive impact for the local business and tourist community, a connection for Dutch culture and teachings in engineering, food and history.
Maintenance is necessary from time to time to ensure this Molen will continue to operate beyond the next 300 years, as the Mill is designed to do. The salt laden winds of Foxton have caused parts of the mill to require attention sooner than expected and they need your help.
Dutch Week Community Outreach - De Molen Needs Your Help
Opened in 2003, The Foxton Windmill Trust owns and operates, De Molen (The Mill), an authentic, fully working replica of a 17th century Dutch Flour Mill. The trust is charged with maintaining and operating de Molen with volunteer and employed staff operating the mill and associated Dutch fusion, Cafe de Molen.
De Molen is the beating heart of tourism in Horowhenua and creates a positive impact for the local business and tourist community, a connection for Dutch culture and teachings in engineering, food and history.
Maintenance is necessary from time to time to ensure this Molen will continue to operate beyond the next 300 years, as the Mill is designed to do. The salt laden winds of Foxton have caused parts of the mill to require attention sooner than expected and they need your help.
King's Day Parties - Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown
The Dutch enjoy a good party! King's Day, or Koningsdag, is a national holiday where all Dutchies around the world celebrate the birth of King Willem-Alexander.
Known for large scale celebrations, in the Netherlands and abroad, including King's Day parties and a bit of orange madness, it's a party you do not want to miss!
Join your nearest King's Day party.
Orange Bike Rides - Countrywide
The Dutch love cycling so much that we are organising family friendly Orange Bike Rides to promote cycling as a fun, sustainable means of transport for all of Aotearoa New Zealand to enjoy.
Dress to impress and decorate your bike in ORANGE, fantastic prizes up for grabs! Check out your nearest Orange Bike Ride and join the fun!
18 April - Foxton
27 April - Lower Hutt
2 May - Blenheim, Christchurch, Hamilton, Kapiti, and Wellington
Vrijmarkten - Auckland, Cambridge, and Wellington
Local Dutch clubs will host vrijmarkten for adults and (mostly) children to dress up in orange and set up sales tables to sell pre-loved toys, books, clothes and more.
A great way to learn about and practise the Dutch tradition of giving old things a new home and to make some money! A big King’s Day tradition in the Netherlands.
Vrijmarkten will take place in Wellington (Avalon) on 27 April, Cambridge on 27 April, and Auckland on 2 May .
Business Networking Events – Wellington and Auckland
Join the Dutch Business Association (DBA) NZ on
28 April in Wellington with WLG Airport's GM Aeronautical Operations who will share exclusive insights into the behind-the-scenes operations of the capital’s airfield. Info and registration
30 April in Auckland with Haskoning as they outline their regional activities, showcase key projects, and share insights into the opportunities and challenges shaping the New Zealand and Pacific markets. Info and registration
Orange Lighting – Countrywide
Several buildings and monuments around the country will light up in orange to show their support for Dutch Week and King's Day.
Keep an eye out for orange lights in Wellington, Foxton, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Oamaru, Invercargill, and Hamilton