New Zealand has 11 national public holidays each year, set by the Holidays Act 2003. This page lists all confirmed dates from 2025 to 2028, including the observed weekday dates when holidays fall on weekends, and all 17 regional anniversary days. Dates are sourced from official Employment New Zealand guidance. Spot an error? Let us know.
How New Zealand Public Holidays Work
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays per year under the Holidays Act 2003. These apply to all employees across the country. In addition, each region has its own anniversary day, so most employees receive 12 public holidays per year depending on where they work. When a national holiday falls on a weekend, it is moved to the following Monday so employees always receive a weekday off.
Key Definitions
Public holiday: A day designated by law when employees are entitled to a paid day off. New Zealand's 11 national public holidays are set by the Holidays Act 2003.
Observed date: When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday (or Tuesday for Boxing Day when Christmas is also on a weekend). Employees receive the day off on the observed date.
Regional anniversary day: A public holiday specific to one region. Only employees working in that region are entitled to the day off. New Zealand has 17 regional anniversary days.
Observed Dates
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. For Christmas and Boxing Day: if both fall on the weekend, Christmas is observed on Monday and Boxing Day on Tuesday. This rule ensures employees always receive a weekday off in lieu.
Example: Waitangi Day (6 February) on a Sunday is observed on Monday 7 February instead.
Regional Anniversary Days
Regional anniversary days are public holidays that apply only to employees working in a specific region. New Zealand has 17 regional anniversary days. Most fall on the Monday nearest to their historical founding date. Employees in that region are entitled to a paid day off under the Holidays Act 2003.
Example: Auckland Anniversary Day falls on the Monday nearest to 29 January each year.
Holiday Clashes
When a regional anniversary day falls on the same date as a national public holiday, the regional holiday moves to the next available date. For example, if Taranaki Anniversary Day (second Monday in March) coincides with another recognised date, it shifts accordingly. Always confirm specific years against official sources.
Tip: Use the region filter on this page to check exact dates for your area.
Employee Entitlements
All employees are entitled to be paid for national public holidays at their relevant daily pay, regardless of the day of the week. For regional anniversary days, entitlements apply only to employees working in the relevant region. If required to work on a public holiday, employees must receive an alternative holiday and, in most cases, time-and-a-half pay.
Source: Holidays Act 2003, Employment New Zealand.
Matariki
Matariki is the Māori New Year and became a national public holiday in 2022, making it the most recent addition to New Zealand's public holidays. The date changes annually because it is determined by the Māori lunar calendar: it falls on the Friday of the week containing the first new moon after the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) rises in the predawn sky in mid-winter.
Legislated dates: 2025: 25 June · 2026: 17 July · 2027: 9 July · 2028: 30 June.
Special Cases
Southland Anniversary Day is always Easter Tuesday, the day after Easter Monday. This gives Southland a five-day Easter break. Canterbury Anniversary Day is Christchurch Show Day, observed on the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November. Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day is always the Friday before Labour Day, creating a four-day mid-October break.
Note: These regions have distinct holiday rules based on historical tradition and local legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if Waitangi Day falls on a Sunday?
Waitangi Day (6 February) will be observed on the following Monday. This rule applies to most public holidays that fall on weekends. The principle is that employees are entitled to a full day off, so if the holiday lands on a weekend day when most wouldn't normally work, it's moved to the next weekday.
For example, if 6 February is a Sunday, it would be observed on Monday 7 February instead.
Are regional anniversary days mandatory?
Regional anniversary days are public holidays for the relevant region, meaning employees in that region are entitled to be paid for the day. However, the decision to observe it as a day off depends on your employment agreement and industry. Essential services may require some staff to work.
If you're required to work on a regional anniversary day, you must be paid for the day according to the Holidays Act 2003. Check with your employer about how your organisation handles regional anniversary days.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori New Year, celebrated when the Pleiades star cluster first rises in the dawn sky in mid-winter. It's a time for reflection on the past year and planning for the year ahead — connecting people, land and sky.
Matariki became a national public holiday in 2022. Each year's date is legislated in advance based on the Māori lunar calendar, which means it falls on different dates from year to year (anywhere from late June to late July). The word "Matariki" comes from "Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea" — the eyes of the atua Tāwhirimātea.
When is the next public holiday in New Zealand?
Check the banner at the top of this page for the next upcoming national public holiday. The exact date depends on today's date and the year. National public holidays include holidays like New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, Easter, ANZAC Day, King's Birthday, Labour Day, and Christmas.
For regional anniversary days, the next holiday depends on which region you're in. Use the region filter to see holidays specific to your area.
Do all employees get regional anniversary days?
Only employees in the relevant region are entitled to regional anniversary days. For example, if you work in Auckland, you get Auckland Anniversary Day off, but if you work in Wellington, you don't (you get Wellington Anniversary Day instead).
If you work in a region and your employer is based elsewhere, your entitlements are based on the region where you work. Multi-regional employers must honour the anniversary day in each region where they operate.
What happens when Christmas falls on a weekend?
When Christmas Day (25 December) or Boxing Day (26 December) fall on a weekend, the following weekday(s) are observed as public holidays. Specifically:
- If Christmas is on a Saturday, it's observed on the following Monday
- If Christmas is on a Sunday, it's observed on the following Monday
- If Boxing Day is on a Sunday, it's observed on the following Tuesday
- If both fall on a weekend, both the following Monday and Tuesday are observed
This ensures employees get a full day off during the Christmas period.
Which regions have unique anniversary days?
Southland Anniversary Day is always Easter Tuesday, giving Southland a longer Easter holiday compared to other regions.
Canterbury Anniversary Day is actually Christchurch Show Day, observed on the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November—not a traditional anniversary date.
Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day is always the Friday before Labour Day (fourth Monday in October), creating a four-day mid-October break.
All other regions observe their anniversary day on the Monday nearest to their historical date.
Can I work on a public holiday?
Yes, some industries require work on public holidays (healthcare, retail, hospitality, etc.). If you work on a public holiday, you must be paid for the work. Typically, you receive your normal daily pay plus an additional payment (often 50-100% of daily pay depending on your agreement).
Your employment agreement should outline how public holiday payments are calculated. If you work on a day that would normally be a substitute holiday, you might receive payment for both.
How is Matariki date determined each year?
Matariki is determined by the Māori lunar calendar — specifically, it falls on the Friday of the week containing the first new moon after the Matariki star cluster rises in the predawn sky. The government legislates each year's date in advance so businesses and employees have certainty. The dates from 2025 to 2028 are: 25 June 2025, 17 July 2026, 9 July 2027 and 30 June 2028.
The traditional Māori celebration depends on when the Pleiades stars are first visible, but the public holiday date follows the Friday rule for administrative purposes.
How many public holidays does New Zealand have each year?
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays each year under the Holidays Act 2003. They are: New Year's Day (1 January), Day after New Year's Day (2 January), Waitangi Day (6 February), Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day (25 April), King's Birthday (first Monday in June), Matariki, Labour Day (fourth Monday in October), Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December).
Most New Zealand employees also receive one regional anniversary day, bringing the typical total to 12 public holidays per year depending on the region where they work.
What is Waitangi Day?
Waitangi Day is New Zealand's national day, observed on 6 February each year. It marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) on 6 February 1840 between the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs. The Treaty is considered the founding document of New Zealand as a nation.
If 6 February falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Waitangi Day is observed on the following Monday. The holiday was established by the Waitangi Day Act 1960 and became a public holiday entitlement under the Holidays Act 2003.
What is ANZAC Day?
ANZAC Day is observed on 25 April each year. It commemorates New Zealand and Australian soldiers who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The date marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915, the first major military engagement for Australian and New Zealand forces in World War One.
Unlike most public holidays, if ANZAC Day falls on a Sunday it is observed on the following Monday. If it falls on a Saturday, the Saturday is the actual observed holiday and there is no weekday substitution.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in New Zealand?
Yes. Good Friday is a national public holiday in New Zealand. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is one of 11 national public holidays under the Holidays Act 2003. All employees are entitled to a paid day off on Good Friday, regardless of their industry.
Easter Monday (the Monday after Easter Sunday) is also a national public holiday, giving New Zealand workers a four-day Easter break when combined with the weekend.
Is Easter Saturday a public holiday in New Zealand?
No. Easter Saturday is not a national public holiday in New Zealand. Only Good Friday and Easter Monday are national public holidays over the Easter period. Easter Sunday is also not a public holiday. Employees have no statutory right to a day off on Easter Saturday, though individual employers may choose to close.
Some industries (such as retail and hospitality) operate on Easter Saturday under normal employment conditions. Check your employment agreement for any additional Easter leave provisions.
Which New Zealand public holidays fall on a fixed date every year?
Six New Zealand national public holidays fall on a fixed calendar date every year: New Year's Day (1 January), Day after New Year's Day (2 January), Waitangi Day (6 February), ANZAC Day (25 April), Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December). When any of these fall on a weekend, they are observed on the following weekday.
The remaining five national holidays fall on different dates each year: Good Friday and Easter Monday are calculated from the Easter formula, King's Birthday is the first Monday in June, Matariki follows the Māori lunar calendar, and Labour Day is the fourth Monday in October.
What does "observed" mean for a New Zealand public holiday?
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the actual holiday date stays the same but the day off is moved to the following Monday (or Tuesday for Boxing Day in some years). This moved date is called the "observed" date. Employees receive their day off on the observed date, not on the actual date.
For example, if ANZAC Day (25 April) falls on a Sunday, the observed date is Monday 26 April. Employees who would ordinarily work on a Monday are entitled to that Monday off as the public holiday.
What is the King's Birthday public holiday in New Zealand?
King's Birthday is a national public holiday in New Zealand that marks the official birthday of the reigning monarch. It is observed on the first Monday in June each year. The holiday was previously called Queen's Birthday until September 2022 when it was renamed following the accession of King Charles III.
The King's actual birthday is not in June — the June date is a tradition from New Zealand's constitutional history. Australia also celebrates the King's Birthday in June, though on different dates in different states.
About This Data
NZholiday.co.nz publishes confirmed New Zealand public holiday dates for 2025 to 2028. All national holiday dates are sourced from the Holidays Act 2003 and cross-referenced against official Employment New Zealand guidance. Regional anniversary day dates are confirmed each year from government announcements.
This site covers all 20 New Zealand regions: Auckland, Northland, Wellington, Whanganui, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Westland, Manawatū/Horowhenua and the Chatham Islands.
New Zealand's public holiday system is governed by the Holidays Act 2003. Employees are entitled to 11 paid national public holidays per year. If a public holiday falls on a day an employee would not normally work, they may be entitled to an alternative holiday.