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Agriculture Minister Todd McClay at a National Lamb Day celebration.
National Lamb Day returns this Sunday, 15 February, with Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc calling on Kiwis to fire up their barbecues and celebrate the people and the product that put New Zealand on the world map.
The date marks the anniversary of the first shipment of frozen lamb leaving Port Chalmers in 1882 – the 98-day voyage that effectively birthed (or lambed) our modern export economy.
Today, National Lamb Day has evolved into a national moment of pride, from the paddocks of Southland to the heart of London.
From Parliament to Brixton: The 2026 celebrations kick off with a series of events connecting the farm gate to the dinner plate:
The Parliamentary Barbecue: On Wednesday, 11 February, Minister for Agriculture Hon Todd McClay will host MPs and industry leaders at Parliament. The Country’s Jamie Mackay will broadcast live from the grills.
The Global Roast: In London, renowned Kiwi chef Mel Brown will host a commemorative Sunday Roast at The Laundry in Brixton on 15 February, telling the 1882 story to a UK audience.
The Birthplace Celebration: On Sunday, 15 February, the public is invited to Totara Estate in Oamaru – where it all began – for a family day featuring heritage demonstrations, live music, and a traditional community barbecue.
Southern Field Days: While Southern Field Days in Waimumu runs all week, Friday, 13 February is the official National Lamb Day activation on-site:
Live Broadcast: The Rock Drive with Jay & Dunc will be roaming the Waimumu grounds on Friday, bringing their trademark humour to the festivities.
Get The T-Shirt: Official 2026 National Lamb Day T-shirts in this year’s signature khaki green will be available at the Beef + Lamb New Zealand site for $30 or you can buy online.
The Big Spit: A dedicated barbecue zone will be firing up on Friday, serving free lamb chops and a traditional spit roast for attendees.
How to Get Involved
Kiwis are encouraged to participate by 'raising a chop' in their own backyards or dining out:
Register to Win: Following the success of over 1,100 entries last year, Kiwis can register their own home barbecue at nationallambday.co.nz to enter the draw for one of five $200 meat packs.
Dine Out: A curated Dining Guide is available online, highlighting top-tier restaurants serving special lamb dishes throughout February.
Digital Toolkit: The industry is encouraged to use the Digital Toolkit to share the message across social media using official assets and logos.
As guests gathered on what is known as the Speaker's Lawn - a beautifully manicured patch of grass behind the main buildings of Parliament - to mingle and enjoy a lamb chop to celebrate National Lamb Day, the mood was very much upbeat.
National Lamb Day is set to return in 2026 with organisers saying the celebrations will be bigger than ever.
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