New Year
When New Year's Day and the day after fall in 2026 and 2027, how weekend dates move to Monday, and how to make the most of the summer break.
2026: Thu, 1 Jan 2026 & Fri, 2 Jan 2026 · 2027: Fri, 1 Jan 2027 & Mon, 4 Jan 2027
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New Zealand public holiday guides
What each New Zealand public holiday marks, how weekend dates move, trading rules, pay and the best leave plans.
New Zealand has eleven national public holidays. These guides explain what each one marks, how weekend dates move, which shops can open, what you are paid if you work, and how to turn each holiday into a longer break with the least annual leave.
Waitangi Day
Waitangi Day dates for 2026 and 2027, what the day commemorates, Mondayisation, and planning a February long weekend.
2026: Fri, 6 Feb 2026 · 2027: Mon, 8 Feb 2027
Easter
Good Friday and Easter Monday dates for 2026 and 2027, Easter Sunday trading rules, school holidays and how to turn Easter into a ten-day break.
2026: Fri, 3 Apr 2026 & Mon, 6 Apr 2026 · 2027: Fri, 26 Mar 2027 & Mon, 29 Mar 2027
Anzac Day
Anzac Day dates for 2026 and 2027, dawn services, the morning trading restriction and how the Mondayised holiday works.
2026: Mon, 27 Apr 2026 · 2027: Mon, 26 Apr 2027
King's Birthday
King's Birthday dates for 2026 and 2027, why the holiday is in June, and planning the first long weekend of winter.
2026: Mon, 1 Jun 2026 · 2027: Mon, 7 Jun 2027
Matariki
Matariki holiday dates for 2026 and 2027, what Matariki means, why the date changes each year, and ideas for the long weekend.
2026: Fri, 10 Jul 2026 · 2027: Fri, 25 Jun 2027
Labour Day
Labour Day dates for 2026 and 2027, the history of the eight-hour day, and planning the last long weekend before summer.
2026: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 · 2027: Mon, 25 Oct 2027
Christmas
Christmas and Boxing Day dates for 2026 and 2027, Mondayisation, Christmas Day trading rules and planning the summer break.
2026: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 & Mon, 28 Dec 2026 · 2027: Mon, 27 Dec 2027 & Tue, 28 Dec 2027