New Zealand Public Holidays 2026
There are 11 public holidays in New Zealand in 2026.
Next public holiday
Christmas Day
Friday 25 December 2026 · 45 days away
As of 10 November 2026 (UTC). This page is rebuilt daily.
All New Zealand public holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 January 2026 | Friday | Day after New Year’s Day |
| 6 February 2026 | Friday | Waitangi Day |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 27 April 2026 | Monday | Anzac Day (Mondayised) 25 April is a Saturday; Monday off if you do not normally work Saturdays |
| 1 June 2026 | Monday | King’s Birthday |
| 10 July 2026 | Friday | Matariki |
| 26 October 2026 | Monday | Labour Day |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day Next |
| 28 December 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day (Mondayised) 26 December is a Saturday; Monday off if you do not normally work Saturdays |
2026 at a glance
Public Holidays
11
On a weekday
11
Working days
250
Long weekends
8
Working days = 261 weekdays in 2026 minus the 11 public holidays that fall Monday to Friday. Regional, part-day and optional days are not deducted. For a custom range, use the business days calculator.
Long weekends in New Zealand in 2026
- 4 days off: Thursday 1 January 2026 to Sunday 4 January 2026 (New Year’s Day, Day after New Year’s Day)
- 3 days off: Friday 6 February 2026 to Sunday 8 February 2026 (Waitangi Day)
- 4 days off: Friday 3 April 2026 to Monday 6 April 2026 (Good Friday, Easter Monday)
- 3 days off: Saturday 25 April 2026 to Monday 27 April 2026 (Anzac Day (Mondayised))
- 3 days off: Saturday 30 May 2026 to Monday 1 June 2026 (King’s Birthday)
- 3 days off: Friday 10 July 2026 to Sunday 12 July 2026 (Matariki)
- 3 days off: Saturday 24 October 2026 to Monday 26 October 2026 (Labour Day)
- 4 days off: Friday 25 December 2026 to Monday 28 December 2026 (Christmas Day, Boxing Day (Mondayised))
A long weekend is three or more days in a row made up of Saturdays, Sundays and full-day public holidays.
Regional anniversary days 2026
One extra public holiday applies in each region. These are the observed dates published by Employment New Zealand, which warns that local councils have the final say, so check yours.
| Region | Observed date |
|---|---|
| Wellington | Monday 19 January 2026 |
| Auckland Also Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Manawatū-Whanganui (most areas) | Monday 26 January 2026 |
| Nelson | Monday 2 February 2026 |
| Taranaki | Monday 9 March 2026 |
| Otago | Monday 23 March 2026 |
| Southland Easter Tuesday | Tuesday 7 April 2026 |
| South Canterbury | Monday 28 September 2026 |
| Hawke’s Bay | Friday 23 October 2026 |
| Marlborough | Monday 2 November 2026 |
| Canterbury (Christchurch) Show Day | Friday 13 November 2026 |
| Westland | Monday 30 November 2026 |
| Chatham Islands | Monday 30 November 2026 |
When a holiday falls on a weekend
New Zealand “Mondayises” holidays that fall on a weekend: if you would not normally work on the weekend day, the holiday moves to the following Monday (or Tuesday, when two holidays fall on the same weekend). If you would normally work that Saturday or Sunday, the holiday stays on the actual day. The dates above are the Mondayised dates most Monday-to-Friday workers get.
Good to know
- Matariki became a public holiday in 2022. Its date follows the Māori lunar calendar and is set in law in advance.
- Each region also has an anniversary day. It is a public holiday only in that region, and the observed date is often moved to the nearest Monday or Friday.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in New Zealand in 2026?
There are 11 public holidays in New Zealand in 2026. 11 of them fall on a weekday.
When is the next public holiday in New Zealand?
The next one is Christmas Day on Friday 25 December 2026, 45 days away (as of 10 November 2026).
How many working days are there in New Zealand in 2026?
250. 2026 has 261 weekdays (Monday to Friday), and 11 public holidays fall on a weekday, leaving 250. Regional, part-day and optional holidays are not deducted.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend in New Zealand?
New Zealand “Mondayises” holidays that fall on a weekend: if you would not normally work on the weekend day, the holiday moves to the following Monday (or Tuesday, when two holidays fall on the same weekend). If you would normally work that Saturday or Sunday, the holiday stays on the actual day. The dates above are the Mondayised dates most Monday-to-Friday workers get.
Sources
Dates checked against these official sources on 6 November 2026. Governments can add or move holidays (for royal, sporting or national events), and your own entitlement depends on your contract and the rules that cover your workplace, so confirm with your employer or the source above before you book leave. This page is general information, not legal or payroll advice.