New Zealand begins daylight saving time on Sunday

New Zealand will begin daylight saving time on Sunday, September 27, as clocks move forward by one hour at 2:00 a.m. The shift provides longer evening light and will remain in effect for 27 weeks until April 4.

While most digital devices and smartphones update automatically, manual adjustments are required for appliances, watches, and vehicle clocks. For professionals like clockmakers, the change involves significant logistical work, including manually resetting public clocks in towers and tight spaces.

The practice in New Zealand has roots dating back to 1895, when entomologist George Hudson proposed the shift to gain more daylight for insect collecting. The current schedule has been in place since 2007, following a revival of the practice during the 1970s energy crisis.

In conjunction with the time change, Fire and Emergency NZ is urging residents to check their smoke alarms. Officials noted that many alarms may be past their 10-year useful life and emphasized the importance of working alarms for early warning during house fires, particularly for older populations.