Filipino Kiwis Observe Undas 2026: Traditions, Remembrance, and Remittances

Undas, the Filipino observance of All Saints' Day, will be marked on November 1, 2026, a Sunday. Filipino communities in New Zealand will honour ancestors and connect with relatives in the Philippines, often with financial support for grave upkeep and holiday costs, while the Sunday timing means early planning for money transfers is essential.

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For Filipino families living thousands of kilometres from home, Undas, the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, remains one of the most emotionally significant days of the year. Falling on November 1, 2026, a Sunday, it is a time to honour ancestors, reconnect with distant relatives, and keep cultural traditions alive, even when a cemetery visit isn’t possible from across the Tasman and Pacific.

Without easy access to ancestral graves, many Filipinos in New Zealand adapt traditions by marking the day through video calls with family in the Philippines, visits to local churches, or quiet personal reflection. Community meals and gatherings are common, where stories about departed loved ones are shared. Filipinos represent one of New Zealand's largest migrant communities, with a strong presence in various sectors, and community groups like the New Zealand Filipino Santo Niño Devotees Trust actively promote cultural awareness and support for migrants, as noted by the Ethnic Communities directory and Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

Undas creates a well-known peak period for money transfers from overseas Filipino communities to family in the Philippines. Relatives abroad often contribute financially to tomb cleaning, repainting, and repair, as well as for flowers, candles, offerings, food for family gatherings, and travel costs for relatives returning to their home provinces for the holiday. This pattern reflects a broader tradition within Filipino culture where family members working abroad regularly send financial support home for significant cultural and religious occasions, with Undas consistently being one of the busiest periods alongside Christmas.

Because November 1, 2026, lands on a Sunday, banks in both New Zealand and the Philippines will be operating on standard weekend hours, which typically means limited or no branch access. Anyone planning to send funds for Undas-related expenses should therefore factor in this weekend closure rather than assuming a weekday transfer window will be available right up to the day itself, considering sending funds earlier in the week to ensure they arrive before family members need them.