Public Holidays in New Zealand
Statutory public holidays in New Zealand, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
New Zealand at a glance
New Zealand has eleven public holidays nationwide, and regions add their own anniversary days. Waitangi Day on 6 February and Anzac Day on 25 April are the national dates.
Matariki, the Maori new year, was added as a public holiday in 2022 and falls in midwinter, moving each year.
New Zealand public holidays 2026
The dates below come from New Zealand’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Day after New Year's Day | Jan 2Fri | 2026 |
| Wellington Anniversary Day | Jan 19Mon | 2026 |
| Northland Anniversary Day | Jan 26Mon | 2026 |
| Auckland Anniversary Day | Jan 26Mon | 2026 |
| Nelson Anniversary Day | Feb 2Mon | 2026 |
| Waitangi Day | Feb 6Fri | 2026 |
| Valentine's Day | Feb 14Sat | 2026 |
| Taranaki Anniversary Day | Mar 9Mon | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 21Sat | 2026 |
| Otago Anniversary Day | Mar 23Mon | 2026 |
| April Fools | Apr 1Wed | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 40 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in New Zealand
The urban centres that anchor most trips to New Zealand.
Wellington
A windy capital of a harbour, wooden villas and a compact cultural centre.
Auckland
A city built between two harbours, of volcanoes, islands and sailboats.
Christchurch
A city rebuilding after earthquakes, with gardens and an English feel.
Queenstown
A town on a lake beneath the Remarkables, the adventure capital.
Rotorua
A city of geysers, boiling mud and Maori cultural performances.
Dunedin
A Scottish city of Victorian stone, a station and wildlife nearby.
Top attractions in New Zealand
The places that draw most visitors to New Zealand.
Fiordland National Park
A fiord landscape of granite cliffs, waterfalls and Milford Sound.
Milford Sound
A fiord of sheer walls and waterfalls, often called the eighth wonder.
Tongariro National Park
Volcanic peaks, emerald lakes and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Rotorua Geothermal
Geysers, silica terraces and boiling pools on the North Island.
Aoraki / Mount Cook
The highest peak and the Southern Alps of glaciers and blue ice.
Waitomo Caves
Limestone caves lit by glowworm constellations, toured by boat.
Festivals, food and getting around New Zealand
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Day after New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 2
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🎉
Wellington Anniversary Day
Falls on Jan 19
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🎉
Northland Anniversary Day
Falls on Jan 26
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🎉
Auckland Anniversary Day
Falls on Jan 26
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🎉
Nelson Anniversary Day
Falls on Feb 2
Food & drink
Getting around
Domestic flights and the inter-island ferry link the country; driving is the best way to see the regions.
Travelling around New Zealand’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in New Zealand tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
New Zealand's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
New Zealand public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does New Zealand have?
New Zealand has 40 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for New Zealand is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are New Zealand's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, New Zealand typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in New Zealand?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for New Zealand?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.