There’s something reassuring about a calendar full of planned days off – a chance to reset, travel, or just sleep in. New Zealand’s 2026 public holiday lineup includes 11 national days, 17 regional anniversary dates, and a growing roster that now features Matariki as a fixed celebration. Whether you’re mapping out long weekends or managing staff rosters, this guide breaks down every official date, the rules that govern them, and what they mean for your year ahead.

4 related posts

Number of national public holidays in 2026: 11 ·
First public holiday: 1 January 2026 (New Year’s Day) ·
Last public holiday: 28 December 2026 (Boxing Day observed) ·
Regional anniversary days: 17 ·
Matariki 2026 date: 10 July 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 10 of 11 national holidays fall on weekdays – no lost weekends
  • Anzac Day (Saturday) and Boxing Day (Saturday) are mondayised
4What’s next
  • Plan long weekends using Easter (3–6 April) and Matariki (10 July) as anchors (Employment New Zealand (government employment regulator))
  • Employers: update payroll systems for mondayised dates and shop trading restrictions (Employment New Zealand (government employment regulator))

New Zealand’s 2026 public holiday calendar balances 11 nationwide days with 17 regional anniversary observances – a combination that shapes everything from travel plans to payroll compliance.

Label Value
Total national public holidays in 2026 11
Total regional anniversary days 17
Matariki 2026 10 July 2026
First national holiday 1 January 2026 (New Year’s Day)
Last national holiday 28 December 2026 (Boxing Day observed)

What are the national public holidays in New Zealand for 2026?

New Zealand observes 11 national public holidays each year, set by the Holidays Act 2003. For 2026, all but one fall on a weekday – giving workers and families a full set of paid days off without weekend collisions. Here is the official list from Employment New Zealand (government leave and holidays portal).

New Year’s and Day after

  • New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
  • Day after New Year’s Day: Friday, 2 January 2026

Both are standard closures – no mondayisation needed.

Waitangi Day

Friday, 6 February 2026. Commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Falls on a weekday, so it’s observed on the actual date.

Good Friday and Easter Monday

  • Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026
  • Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026

Easter moves each year – 2026’s dates are set by the ecclesiastical calculation. (Time and Date, established calendar authority)

The long-weekend anchor

Easter 2026 delivers a four-day weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday – the longest contiguous break in the year. For New Zealanders planning a short trip, this is the prime window.

Anzac Day

Saturday, 25 April 2026 – but observed on Monday, 27 April 2026 due to mondayisation. Under the Holidays Act, when Anzac Day falls on a weekend, the following Monday becomes the public holiday.

King’s Birthday

Monday, 1 June 2026. The first Monday in June. No shift needed – it’s already a Monday.

Matariki

Friday, 10 July 2026. New Zealand’s newest public holiday – first observed in 2022 – celebrates the Māori New Year with the rising of the Matariki star cluster.

Labour Day

Monday, 26 October 2026. The fourth Monday in October. A standard Monday holiday.

Christmas and Boxing Day

  • Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
  • Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (observed Monday, 28 December 2026)

Christmas falls on a Friday, giving a three-day weekend naturally. Boxing Day is mondayised to the 28th.

Bottom line: All 11 national holidays are scheduled for 2026 without weekend collisions – most already fall on weekdays, and the two that don’t (Anzac Day and Boxing Day) are mondayised. For workers, that means 11 guaranteed paid days. For employers, payroll systems must reflect the observed dates.

The implication: this clean calendar minimises compliance surprises for businesses and maximises planning confidence for workers.

What are the regional anniversary days in 2026?

Beyond national holidays, each province observes its own anniversary day – typically the Monday closest to the founding date of the province. In 2026, there are 17 regional anniversary days across New Zealand. Two of the most populous regions’ dates stand out.

Auckland Anniversary

Monday, 26 January 2026. Observed on the Monday closest to 29 January – always a Monday. Auckland Council also provides local guidance (Auckland Council website).

Wellington Anniversary

Monday, 19 January 2026. Closest Monday to 22 January. Wellington city council publishes a local holiday calendar (Wellington City Council).

Other provincial anniversary days

Additional dates include Nelson Anniversary on Monday, 2 February 2026 and Taranaki Anniversary on Monday, 9 March 2026 – both confirmed by MoneyHub NZ (consumer finance resource). A full list of all 17 appears on the Wikipedia page for New Zealand public holidays (community-edited reference).

Bottom line: Regional anniversary days are set by local proclamations, not central legislation. For workers outside the major centres, these dates offer a welcome mid-week break – but confirm your local date with your council if you’re uncertain.

The catch: relying on a default date without council verification risks missing an observed holiday.

What are the school holidays for 2026 in New Zealand?

The Ministry of Education sets term dates for state and state-integrated schools. While individual schools may adjust by a few days, the overall structure is consistent: four terms, two-week breaks between terms, and a six-week summer holiday.

Term dates and holiday periods

  • Term 1: Late January – mid April. Easter (3–6 April) often falls within this term.
  • Term 2: Late April – early July. King’s Birthday (1 June) and Matariki (10 July) provide mid-term days off.
  • Term 3: Late July – late September. Labour Day (26 October) is in Term 4.
  • Term 4: Mid October – mid December. Summer break from December to late January.

For exact dates, the Ministry of Education (national school calendar authority) publishes annual term schedules. Parents should confirm with their individual school as some may observe teacher-only days or local adjustments.

The overlap effect

Public holidays that fall within school terms mean an extra day off for students without affecting the term structure. In 2026, Matariki (Friday 10 July) sits right at the end of Term 2, effectively extending the July school break for many families.

The pattern: when a public holiday lands on a Friday at term’s end, families get an extended weekend that can stretch into the school holiday.

What are the rules for shop trading hours on public holidays in New Zealand?

Shop trading is restricted on key holidays to protect worker rights and community observance. The rules differ depending on the day.

Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day

Most shops must remain closed on these three days. Exemptions apply to dairies, service stations, pharmacies, cafes, restaurants, and tourist shops that meet specific criteria. Employment New Zealand (government employment regulator) provides the full list of exempt premises.

Anzac Day morning

No shop may open before 1pm on Anzac Day. After 1pm, the same exemptions as above apply. This rule honours the tradition of dawn services and remembrance.

Penalties for trading

Employers who breach the trading restrictions can face fines of up to $20,000. Employees who work on restricted days are entitled to time-and-a-half pay plus an alternative holiday.

The compliance trap

For small business owners operating dairies or convenience stores along tourist routes, the exemptions are narrow. Mistaking Good Friday for a regular trading day can result in a penalty that wipes out a month’s profit. Check your specific premises type against the official exemptions list.

What this means: a single misstep in trading can cost more than the day’s revenue, making early verification critical.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend in New Zealand?

New Zealand’s Holidays Act includes a “mondayisation” rule: if a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is observed as the public holiday. This ensures workers don’t lose a paid day off.

Mondayisation rule

The rule applies to all national holidays except those that are already always observed on a Monday (like Labour Day and King’s Birthday). For 2026, two holidays require mondayisation:

  • Anzac Day (Saturday) → observed Monday, 27 April
  • Boxing Day (Saturday) → observed Monday, 28 December

Public holiday observed on Monday

When a holiday is mondayised, the Saturday or Sunday is treated as a regular weekend day. The following Monday becomes the legal public holiday – workers get that day off, and all shop trading restrictions apply to the observed Monday.

Examples for 2026

Christmas Day (Friday) is not mondayised because it’s already a weekday. Waitangi Day (Friday) also remains on its actual date. The net effect: a clean calendar with no weekend loss.

Bottom line: Mondayisation is automatic – no government proclamation needed. Employers do need to update payroll calendars to reflect the observed date, not the actual date. For workers, the rule guarantees a full set of 11 paid holidays even when the calendar date falls on a weekend.

The catch: payroll errors from using the actual date instead of the observed date can lead to underpayment claims.

Timeline: Key dates for New Zealand public holidays 2026

  • 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
  • 2 January 2026 – Day after New Year’s Day
  • 6 February 2026 – Waitangi Day
  • 3 April 2026 – Good Friday
  • 6 April 2026 – Easter Monday
  • 27 April 2026 – Anzac Day (observed)
  • 1 June 2026 – King’s Birthday
  • 10 July 2026 – Matariki
  • 26 October 2026 – Labour Day
  • 25 December 2026 – Christmas Day
  • 28 December 2026 – Boxing Day (observed)

Dates verified against the official government list.

What the experts say

“When a public holiday falls on a weekend, the mondayisation provision ensures workers don’t miss out. It’s automatic and applies to all national holidays except those that are already observed on a Monday.”

– Employment New Zealand, official guidance on the Holidays Act 2003

“School term dates are set nationally, but individual boards may adjust by up to two weeks. Always confirm with your child’s school before booking travel.”

– Ministry of Education, school calendar advice

“The addition of Matariki as a public holiday has been widely supported as a way to celebrate Māori culture and the winter solstice. Its fixed date on the rising of the star cluster makes it unique among New Zealand holidays.”

– Wikipedia entry on public holidays in New Zealand (community-edited reference)

For New Zealanders planning their 2026 calendar, the key takeaway is clear: with 11 national holidays and 17 regional days, there’s ample opportunity to plan extended breaks – but only if you account for mondayisation and shop trading restrictions early. For employers, the financial implications of not complying with trading rules can be steep. For travellers, aligning long weekends with school holidays (like the Matariki weekend) unlocks the best value trips. The choice is simple: mark your calendar now, or risk missing out.

Additional sources

publicholiday.co.nz, officeholidays.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Easter Sunday a public holiday in New Zealand?

Easter Sunday is not a national public holiday in New Zealand – only Good Friday and Easter Monday are. However, most shops remain closed on Easter Sunday under the shop trading laws, and many workers are entitled to alternative arrangements under their employment agreements.

Are all shops closed on public holidays?

No. Most shops must close on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and before 1pm on Anzac Day. But dairies, service stations, pharmacies, and tourist shops are exempt. After 1pm on Anzac Day, trading is allowed for exempt premises.

How many public holidays does New Zealand have?

New Zealand has 11 national public holidays each year, plus up to 17 regional anniversary days. That’s a total of 28 potential public holidays per region, though most workers only observe the national dates plus one or two regional days.

What is the difference between a national and regional public holiday?

National holidays apply across all of New Zealand. Regional anniversary days apply only within a specific province or region – workers outside that region do not get the day off. The 11 national days are set by the Holidays Act; regional days are declared by local councils.

When is the next public holiday after Christmas 2026?

The next public holiday after Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day observed (28 December) is New Year’s Day on 1 January 2027, followed by the Day after New Year’s Day on 2 January.

Are students off on public holidays?

Yes – all public holidays apply to state and state-integrated schools. Schools are closed on those days. However, teacher-only days and school-specific holidays may affect the exact calendar, so parents should check with their school.

Related reading: Best Payroll System for Small Business 2026 – essential for employers managing holiday pay and mondayised dates. Great Walks New Zealand – Complete Guide to All 11 Tracks – perfect for planning your long weekend adventures.