Quick answer: Undas, the Filipino observance of All Saints’ Day, falls on 1 November 2026 — a Sunday. Filipino communities across New Zealand mark the occasion by cleaning ancestral graves (where possible), lighting candles, and gathering with family, often connecting with relatives back home through calls, video chats, and financial support for grave upkeep and holiday costs. Because 1 November lands on a Sunday in 2026, banks in both New Zealand and the Philippines follow standard weekend hours, so anyone planning to send money should factor that into their timing.
For Filipino families living thousands of kilometres from home, Undas is one of the most emotionally significant days of the year. It’s 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.
This guide covers what Undas means, how Filipino Kiwis observe it, and what to know if you’re planning to support family back home during this period.
What Is Undas and Why Does It Matter to Filipino Kiwis?
Undas is the Filipino term for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, typically centred around 1 November. Across the Philippines, families gather at cemeteries to clean and repaint gravestones, light candles, offer flowers, and spend the day — sometimes overnight — near the resting places of loved ones. It’s as much a family reunion as it is a solemn remembrance, often accompanied by shared meals, games, and storytelling among relatives.
For Filipinos living in New Zealand, Undas takes on a different shape. Without easy access to ancestral graves, many mark the day through video calls with family in the Philippines, visits to local churches, or quiet personal reflection. Others use the occasion to organise or contribute to grave maintenance and family gatherings happening on the other side of the world.
How Big Is the Filipino Community in New Zealand?
Filipinos represent one of New Zealand’s largest migrant communities, with a strong presence in healthcare, construction, and the dairy industry. Many Filipino Kiwis work as nurses, caregivers, tradespeople, and farm workers — sectors that have long relied on skilled migrant labour and have, in turn, given Filipino communities a firm footing in towns and cities across the country.
This community strength means Undas isn’t a niche observance in New Zealand. It’s a shared cultural moment recognised in Filipino churches, community groups, and social gatherings from Auckland to Invercargill.
How Do Filipino Families in New Zealand Celebrate Undas?
While the traditional cemetery visit isn’t always possible from New Zealand, Filipino Kiwis find other ways to honour the occasion:
- Church services and memorial masses, often held at local Catholic parishes with Filipino congregations
- Video calls with family in the Philippines, timed to coincide with cemetery visits or family gatherings back home
- Community meals and gatherings, where stories about departed loved ones are shared over Filipino comfort food
- Lighting candles at home, a personal way to observe the day when travel isn’t an option
For many, the emotional weight of Undas is heightened by distance. Supporting family back home financially — whether for grave upkeep, food for the gathering, or travel costs for relatives visiting the province — becomes one of the most meaningful ways to participate, even from afar.
Why Does Undas Create a Surge in Money Transfers to the Philippines?
Undas is 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
- Flowers, candles, and offerings
- Food and refreshments for family gatherings at the cemetery
- Travel costs for relatives returning to their home province 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. Undas, alongside Christmas, is consistently one of the busiest periods for these transfers.
Will Banks Be Open in the Philippines During Undas 2026?
In 2026, 1 November falls on a Sunday, which means banks in the Philippines will already be closed under standard weekend operating hours, separate from any public holiday closures tied to Undas itself. New Zealand banks will also be operating on standard Sunday hours, which for most retail banks means limited or no branch access.
Because of this overlap, anyone planning to send funds for Undas-related expenses should plan around the weekend closure rather than assuming a weekday transfer window will be available right up to the day itself.
What Should You Know Before Sending Money for Undas 2026?
A few practical points are worth keeping in mind if you’re supporting family in the Philippines during this period:
- Weekend timing matters. With 1 November falling on a Sunday, consider sending funds earlier in the week to make sure they arrive before family members need them for grave preparations or gatherings.
- Processing times can vary. Bank holidays and weekends in the recipient’s location can affect how quickly funds become available, even if the sending side processes the transaction immediately.
- Peak periods can mean higher demand. Since Undas is a widely recognised occasion for financial support among overseas Filipino communities, transfer services may experience higher-than-usual volumes in the days leading up to 1 November.
Planning a few days ahead of the weekend gives families more breathing room and reduces the risk of funds arriving later than needed.
Planning Ahead Makes Undas Easier for Everyone
Undas is a day rooted in memory, family, and connection — values that don’t diminish with distance. For Filipino Kiwis, the observance looks different than it does in the Philippines, but the intent remains the same: honouring loved ones and staying connected to family, wherever they are.
If you’re planning to support relatives back home for Undas 2026, keep the Sunday timing in mind and aim to organise any financial support earlier in the week. A little forward planning means your family can focus on what matters most on the day itself — remembering those who came before them.
FAQ
What is Undas?
Undas is the Filipino term for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, typically centred on 1 November. Families gather at cemeteries to clean graves, light candles, and spend time together in remembrance of departed relatives.
When is Undas in 2026?
Undas 2026 falls on Sunday, 1 November.
Is Undas a public holiday in New Zealand?
No. Undas is not an official public holiday in New Zealand. It’s a culturally significant observance for Filipino communities, marked through church services, family gatherings, and personal traditions rather than a nationwide day off work.
Why do Filipinos abroad send money home during Undas?
Many Filipinos living overseas send money to family in the Philippines to help cover costs associated with Undas, including grave cleaning and repair, flowers and candles, food for family gatherings, and travel expenses for relatives returning to their home province.
Will banks be closed for Undas 2026?
Since 1 November 2026 falls on a Sunday, banks in both New Zealand and the Philippines will follow standard weekend hours. It’s worth sending any planned funds earlier in the week to avoid delays around the weekend closure.
