National Lamb Day is back on 15 February 2026, with opportunities for everyone to celebrate all NZ food producers – from farm to fork.
The annual celebration commemorates the first shipment of frozen sheepmeat to the United Kingdom in 1882, a historic event marked the beginning of New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar meat industry.
Farmer organisation Ag Proud and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Inc are leading the planning of activities with support from B+LNZ Ltd and the Meat Industry Association. With support from principal partners, Rabobank and FMG, this year’s National Lamb Day is set to be bigger and better than ever!
Events around New Zealand
This year’s festivities include:
- Parliamentary BBQ, hosted by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay on Wednesday 11 February, to showcase the red meat sector. The Country with Jamie Mackay will broadcast live from the event which will be attended by MPs from across all political parties, farmers and industry representatives.
- Southern Field Days, Waimumu, where National Lamb Day will be celebrated on Friday 13 February, with national radio broadcasts on The Rock, free lamb barbecues and on-site activities.
- National Lamb Day Family Festival at Totara Estate, Oamaru on Sunday 15 February. Totara Estate exported New Zealand’s first shipment of frozen meat overseas, making it the birthplace of our frozen meat export industry. Visit https://www.visitheritage.co.nz/whats-on/otago-events/national-lamb-day-family-festival-totara-estate for details.
- Register your barbecue competition, encouraging Kiwis to host their own National Lamb Day gathering. Last year there were over 1100 entries to the competition. Hosts go in the draw to win one of five $200 meat packs. Enter on the NLD website: https://www.nationallambday.co.nz/
- The Dining Guide is highlighting restaurants across the country serving standout lamb dishes for those who prefer to dine out. Check out the participating restaurants at https://www.nationallambday.co.nz/
- A range of promotional campaigns will run on The Rock, Coast and Hauraki radio stations with meat pack giveaways, lamb recipe competitions and more!
- Show your lamb pride with a 2026 National Lamb Day t-shirt, available in this year’s colour, khaki green. Shirts can be ordered now for $30. Choose from two designs: https://www.cooltees.nz/charity-tees/national-lamb-day-t-shirt/ or https://www.cooltees.nz/charity-tees/raise-a-chop-t-shirt/
Get involved
Check out the National Lamb Day website, keep an eye on our social media – Facebook,Linkedin and Instagram – and take part in the competitions that will be running.
Post your own photos and videos on your social media channels, proudly celebrating your National Lamb Day BBQ and other NLD events. Use hashtag #nationallambday when posting.
Invite your mates, fire up your BBQ and get ready to celebrate all those involved in our world-class lamb production.