New Zealand is one of the few countries with two public holidays to start the year: New Year's Day on 1 January and the Day after New Year's Day on 2 January. Together with Christmas and Boxing Day they create the longest stretch of public holidays on our calendar, and for many people the only time each year when work, school and summer weather line up.
New Year dates
| Holiday | Actual date | Observed weekday date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2026 | Thu, 1 Jan 2026 | Thu, 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday |
| Day after New Year's Day 2026 | Fri, 2 Jan 2026 | Fri, 2 Jan 2026 | Friday |
| New Year's Day 2027 | Fri, 1 Jan 2027 | Fri, 1 Jan 2027 | Friday |
| Day after New Year's Day 2027 | Sat, 2 Jan 2027 | Mon, 4 Jan 2027 Observed | Monday |
What the days mark
The two January holidays have no single historical event behind them. They recognise the start of the calendar year and, in practice, give much of the country a protected rest in the middle of summer. The second day is a New Zealand and Scottish tradition rather than a worldwide one, which is why visitors are sometimes surprised to find offices still closed on 2 January.
How weekend dates move
Both days are "Mondayised". If 1 or 2 January falls on a Saturday or Sunday, and you would not normally work that day, the holiday is observed on the following Monday or Tuesday instead. That is why the observed date in the table can differ from the calendar date. If you normally work weekends, the holiday stays on the actual day for you.
A summer shutdown in all but name
Many workplaces close from Christmas Eve until the first full week of January and ask staff to use annual leave for the working days in between. If your employer has a closedown period, check how many leave days it uses before you plan anything else. If your workplace stays open, the days between Boxing Day and New Year are some of the quietest of the year, which can make them a good time to work and take leave later instead.
Planning around the crowds
Early January is peak season for campgrounds, ferries, beach towns and lake towns. Popular holiday parks and Interislander or Bluebridge sailings can book out months in advance. Mid-January, once many people are back at work but schools are still on holiday, is often easier for travel and accommodation, while still giving long summer evenings.
Make the most of your leave
These plans count national public holidays and weekends for someone who usually works Monday to Friday. They are worked out from the dates above; regional anniversaries and your own roster can make them better or worse.
New Year 2026
- No leave → 4 days off: Thu, 1 Jan 2026 to Sun, 4 Jan 2026.
- 1 day of leave → 5 days off: Thu, 1 Jan 2026 to Mon, 5 Jan 2026. Leave on Mon, 5 Jan 2026.
- 2 days of leave → 6 days off: Thu, 1 Jan 2026 to Tue, 6 Jan 2026. Leave on Mon, 5 Jan 2026, Tue, 6 Jan 2026.
- 3 days of leave → 9 days off: Sat, 27 Dec 2025 to Sun, 4 Jan 2026. Leave on Mon, 29 Dec 2025, Tue, 30 Dec 2025, Wed, 31 Dec 2025.
- 4 days of leave → 10 days off: Sat, 27 Dec 2025 to Mon, 5 Jan 2026. Leave on Mon, 29 Dec 2025, Tue, 30 Dec 2025, Wed, 31 Dec 2025, Mon, 5 Jan 2026.
- 5 days of leave → 11 days off: Thu, 1 Jan 2026 to Sun, 11 Jan 2026. Leave on Mon, 5 Jan 2026, Tue, 6 Jan 2026, Wed, 7 Jan 2026, Thu, 8 Jan 2026, Fri, 9 Jan 2026.
In 2026 this falls during school holidays for state and state-integrated schools, so expect busier roads and accommodation. Nearby regional days: Wellington anniversary (Mon, 19 Jan 2026).
New Year 2027
- No leave → 4 days off: Fri, 1 Jan 2027 to Mon, 4 Jan 2027.
- 1 day of leave → 5 days off: Fri, 1 Jan 2027 to Tue, 5 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 5 Jan 2027.
- 2 days of leave → 6 days off: Fri, 1 Jan 2027 to Wed, 6 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 5 Jan 2027, Wed, 6 Jan 2027.
- 3 days of leave → 11 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Mon, 4 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026, Wed, 30 Dec 2026, Thu, 31 Dec 2026.
- 4 days of leave → 12 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Tue, 5 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026, Wed, 30 Dec 2026, Thu, 31 Dec 2026, Tue, 5 Jan 2027.
- 5 days of leave → 13 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Wed, 6 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026, Wed, 30 Dec 2026, Thu, 31 Dec 2026, Tue, 5 Jan 2027, Wed, 6 Jan 2027.
In 2027 this falls during school holidays for state and state-integrated schools, so expect busier roads and accommodation.
Try your own dates in the leave planner →
If you work on the day
If a public holiday falls on a day you would otherwise work and you do work, the Holidays Act 2003 entitles you to be paid at least time and a half, and to an alternative holiday (a paid day off in lieu). If you would otherwise work but have the day off, you are paid as usual. Rosters, shift patterns and employment agreements affect the details, so check Employment New Zealand's guidance or talk to your employer.
Weekend dates and Mondayisation
Six holidays can move when they fall on a weekend: New Year's Day, the Day after New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. For someone who does not normally work on that weekend day, the holiday is observed on the following Monday (or Tuesday, when two holidays fall on the same weekend). If you do normally work on the weekend day, the holiday stays on its actual date for you.
Questions people ask
Is 2 January a public holiday everywhere in New Zealand?
Yes. The Day after New Year's Day is a national public holiday under the Holidays Act 2003, not a regional anniversary.
Are shops open on New Year's Day?
Yes. New Year's Day is not one of the restricted trading days, so many shops choose to open, often with shorter hours.
Ideas for the long weekend
Summer is peak season: the Coromandel, Bay of Islands, Taupō and Queenstown book out first. For something quieter, try a lake town mid-week once the New Year rush has passed. Start with: Taupō, Queenstown, Auckland to Taupō road trip.
Plan a trip
Looking for somewhere else? Browse getaway ideas and road trips, or see every long weekend in 2027.
Other holiday guides: Waitangi Day · Easter · Anzac Day · King's Birthday · Matariki · Labour Day · Christmas