Public holidays

New Zealand · 2026

23 holidays including 11 national and 12 regional observances.

23
Total
11
National
12
Regional
23
Public

Guide to public holidays in New Zealand

Overview, context, and quick answers for 2026.

Holiday overview

New Zealand observes 23 public holidays throughout 2026, including 11 national and 12 regional. 23 are official public holidays with government recognition.

Use the monthly calendar below for exact dates. Planning in New Zealand means tracking both fixed-date holidays and variable dates set by calendar or decree.

Key context

  • Location: New Zealand (NZ), Oceania
  • Distribution: 48% national, 52% regional
  • Official public: 100% of listed holidays
  • Year: 2026 (Gregorian)

Why this calendar matters

Public holidays affect government hours, banking, and many businesses. Use this list to avoid conflicts and plan travel or operations in New Zealand.

FAQ in this guide

How many public holidays does New Zealand have in 2026?

New Zealand has 23 public holidays in 2026, including 11 national and 12 regional. 23 are official government-recognized public holidays.

What are the most important holidays in New Zealand?

Major holidays include national days, religious observances, and cultural events—often with closures for government offices, banks, and many businesses.

Do holidays in New Zealand affect business?

Yes. Many offices and banks close or reduce hours on public holidays; private businesses vary by sector and region.

Are there regional differences?

Yes. New Zealand has both nationwide holidays and regional observances in specific areas or communities.

Geographic & cultural context

Location
  • Country: New Zealand (NZ)
  • Continent: Oceania
  • Coordinates: -40.9006, 174.886
  • Time zone: NZST/NZDT (UTC+12/+13)
Holiday mix
  • National, regional, religious, and cultural
  • Gregorian calendar
  • Official days often close government offices
2026
Calendar year
100%
Free access
Updated
Maintained
Calendar

Holidays by month

All observances for 2026, grouped by month.

January 2025

4 holidays

New Year's Day

National
Wednesday, January 1, 2025

New Year's Day marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year. It is a day of celebration and reflection on the past year and a time to look forward to the new year.

Day after New Year's Day

National
Thursday, January 2, 2025

The day after New Year's Day provides an extended holiday period. It is often used for continued celebrations, relaxation, or travel.

Wellington Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, January 20, 2025

Wellington Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of the first settlers in the Wellington region. It is a regional holiday celebrated with local events and activities.

Auckland/Northland Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, January 27, 2025

Auckland Anniversary Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of Governor William Hobson in the region. Celebrations include regattas and other local festivities.

February 2025

2 holidays

Nelson Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, February 3, 2025

Nelson Anniversary Day celebrates the founding of the Nelson settlement. It is marked by local events and community gatherings.

Waitangi Day

National
Thursday, February 6, 2025

Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which is considered New Zealand's founding document. It is a national day marked by reflection on the treaty and its ongoing significance.

March 2025

2 holidays

Taranaki Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, March 10, 2025

Taranaki Anniversary Day commemorates the region's history and heritage. Celebrations are held locally.

Otago Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, March 24, 2025

Otago Anniversary Day celebrates the founding of the Otago region. It is observed with local events and community activities.

April 2025

4 holidays

Good Friday

National
Friday, April 18, 2025

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is observed as part of Holy Week and is a day of mourning and reflection.

Easter Monday

National
Monday, April 21, 2025

Easter Monday follows Easter Sunday and is part of the Easter holiday period. It is a day for relaxation and spending time with family and friends.

Southland Anniversary Day

Regional
Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Southland Anniversary Day commemorates the founding of the Southland region. It is celebrated with local events and community gatherings.

Anzac Day

National
Friday, April 25, 2025

Anzac Day commemorates Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. It is observed with memorial services and parades.

June 2025

2 holidays

King's Birthday

National
Monday, June 2, 2025

The King's Birthday is the official birthday of the monarch in New Zealand. It is a public holiday celebrated with various events and activities.

Matariki

National
Friday, June 20, 2025

Matariki is the Māori New Year, marking the rising of the Matariki star cluster. It is a time for remembrance, celebration, and looking forward to the future.

September 2025

1 holiday

Dominion Day

Regional
Monday, September 22, 2025

Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day celebrates the founding of the Canterbury region. It is observed with local events and community activities in the southern part of the region.

October 2025

2 holidays

Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day

Regional
Friday, October 24, 2025

Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day commemorates the region's history and heritage. Celebrations are held locally.

Labour Day

National
Monday, October 27, 2025

Labour Day celebrates the achievements of the labor movement and the economic and social contributions of workers. It is a day to recognize the importance of fair labor practices.

November 2025

2 holidays

Marlborough Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, November 3, 2025

Marlborough Anniversary Day commemorates the region's history and heritage. Celebrations are held locally.

Canterbury (North & Central) Anniversary Day

Regional
Friday, November 14, 2025

Canterbury Anniversary Day celebrates the founding of the Canterbury region. It is observed with local events and community activities.

December 2025

4 holidays

Chatham Islands Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, December 1, 2025

Chatham Islands Anniversary Day commemorates the history and heritage of the Chatham Islands. Celebrations are held locally.

Westland Anniversary Day

Regional
Monday, December 1, 2025

Westland Anniversary Day commemorates the region's history and heritage. Celebrations are held locally.

Christmas Day

National
Thursday, December 25, 2025

Christmas Day is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time for family gatherings, gift-giving, and religious observances.

Boxing Day

National
Friday, December 26, 2025

Boxing Day is traditionally a day for giving gifts to service workers and the less fortunate. Today, it is often associated with shopping and sporting events.

Frequently asked questions

How many public holidays are there in New Zealand?

New Zealand has 23 public holidays in 2026, including 11 national and 12 regional observances.

Are all holidays in New Zealand national?

No. There are 11 national holidays and 12 regional holidays that apply only in certain areas.

Which are official public holidays?

23 holidays are marked as public; these are typically the most important for closures and time off.

When do holidays occur?

Dates are spread across the year—see the monthly calendar above for each exact date in 2026.

Do all businesses close?

Government offices usually close on official public holidays; private businesses vary by sector and region.

How do I stay updated?

Bookmark this page. We refresh data from official sources as schedules are published or amended.

Data summary

Structured overview for this country and year.

23
Total
Listed holidays
11
National
Country-wide
12
Regional
Local
23
Public
Official type

Dataset details

Geography
  • Country: New Zealand (NZ)
  • Continent: Oceania
  • Coordinates: -40.9006, 174.886
  • Time zone: NZST/NZDT (UTC+12/+13)
Time
  • Year: 2026
  • Calendar: Gregorian
  • Reference date: 2026-03-29

New Zealand · 2026

23 dates for planning operations, travel, and time off in New Zealand.

23
Total
11
National
12
Regional
23
Public

Bookmark this page for quick access all year.

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