New Zealand Public & School Holidays
New Zealand observes 10 nationwide public holidays and 1 provincial holiday each year. New Zealand school dates are based around 4 terms, with school holidays in each season.
School Holidays
Actual school terms and observed school holiday dates may vary between primary, intermediate and secondary schools around New Zealand. Shops, attractions, amenities and accommodations become very busy during school holidays, so it is advisable to book your New Zealand holiday well in advance if you are planning to travel during school holidays.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer School Holidays | Sat 20 Dec 14 - Sun 25 Jan | Sat 19 Dec 15 - Sun 31 Jan | Wed 21 Dec 16 - Sun 29 Jan |
| Autumn School Holidays | Fri 3 Apr - Sun 19 Apr | Sat 16 Apr - Sun 1 May | Fri 14 Apr - Sun 30 Apr |
| Winter School Holidays | Sat 4 Jul - Sun 19 Jul | Sat 9 Jul - Sun 24 Jul | Sat 8 Jul - Sun 23 Jul |
| Spring School Holidays | Sat 26 Sep - Sun 11 Oct | Sat 24 Sep - Sun 9 Oct | Sat 30 Sep - Sun 15 Oct |
Public Holidays
New Zealand has several public holidays throughout the year. A public holiday is a nationally observed day that most people do not work. For those people who do work, over time rates apply and an extra day is given in lieu. Many shops, attractions and amenities are closed on New Zealand public holidays, so if travelling over public holidays, it is advisable to ensure the places you intend to visit are indeed open. Accommodation tariffs, food and other costs can be more expensive on public holidays.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thurs 1 Jan | Fri 1 Jan | Sun 1 Jan or Tues 3 Jan |
Mon 1 Jan |
| Day after New Year's Day | Fri 2 Jan | Sat 2 Jan or Mon 4 Jan |
Mon 2 Jan | Tues 2 Jan |
| Waitangi Day | Fri 6 Feb | Mon 8 Feb | Mon 6 Feb | Tues 6 Feb |
| Good Friday | Fri 3 Apr | Fri 25 Mar | Fri 14 Apr | Fri 30 Mar |
| Easter Monday | Mon 6 Apr | Mon 28 Mar | Mon 17 Apr | Mon 2 Apr |
| ANZAC Day | Mon 27 Apr | Mon 25 Apr | Tues 25 Apr | Wed 25 Apr |
| Queen's Birthday | Mon 1 Jun | Mon 6 Jun | Mon 5 Jun | Mon 4 Jun |
| Labour Day | Mon 26 Oct | Mon 24 Oct | Mon 23 Oct | Mon 22 Oct |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec | Sun 25 Dec or Tues 27 Dec |
Mon 25 Dec | Tues 25 Dec |
| Boxing Day | Sat 26 Dec or Mon 28 Dec |
Mon 26 Dec | Tues 26 Dec | Wed 26 Dec |
Provincial Holidays
Provincial holidays are a public holiday observed in the province where the employee works. Each province has one such day per year. Many businesses will be closed on their provincial public holiday.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Mon 26 Jan | Mon 1 Feb | Mon 30 Jan | Mon 29 Jan |
| Taranaki | Mon 9 Mar | Mon 14 Mar | Mon 13 Mar | Mon 12 Mar |
| Hawke's Bay | Fri 23 Oct | Fri 21 Oct | Fri 20 Oct | Fri 19 Oct |
| Wellington | Mon 19 Jan | Mon 25 Jan | Mon 23 Jan | Mon 22 Jan |
| Marlborough | Mon 2 Nov | Mon 31 Oct | Mon 30 Oct | Mon 29 Oct |
| Nelson | Mon 2 Feb | Mon 1 Feb | Mon 30 Jan | Mon 29 Jan |
| Canterbury | Fri 13 Nov | Fri 11 Nov | Fri 17 Nov | Fri 16 Nov |
| Canterbury (South) | Mon 28 Sep | Mon 26 Sep | Mon 25 Sep | Mon 24 Sep |
| Westland | Mon 30 Nov | Mon 28 Nov | Mon 4 Dec | Mon 3 Dec |
| Otago | Mon 23 Mar | Mon 21 Mar | Mon 20 Mar | Mon 26 Mar |
| Southland | Tues 7 Apr | Tues 29 Mar | Tues 18 April | Tues 3 April |
| Chatham Islands | Mon 30 Nov | Mon 28 Nov | Mon 27 Nov | Mon 3 Dec |
