New Zealand Public Holidays 2026
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays in 2026. Anzac Day (Apr 25) falls on a Saturday and is Mondayised to Monday Apr 27, and Boxing Day (Dec 26, Saturday) is Mondayised to Monday Dec 28. Matariki — the Māori New Year — is on Friday July 10.
Public holidays
11
Regional anniversary days
Varies by region
Longest break
Easter · 4 days
Unique holiday
Matariki · Jul 10
2026 New Zealand calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
New Zealand public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| January 2, 2026 | Friday | Day after New Year's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| February 6, 2026 | Friday | Waitangi DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good FridayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter MondayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 27, 2026 | Monday | Anzac Day (observed)Anzac Day (Apr 25) falls on a Saturday, so the public holiday is Mondayised to Monday Apr 27.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
| June 1, 2026 | Monday | King's BirthdayThe first Monday of June.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| July 10, 2026 | Friday | MatarikiThe Māori New Year. Its date shifts each year with the rise of the Matariki star cluster; in 2026 it is Friday July 10.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| October 26, 2026 | Monday | Labour DayThe fourth Monday of October.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| December 28, 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day (observed)Boxing Day (Dec 26) falls on a Saturday, so the public holiday is Mondayised to Monday Dec 28.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
New Zealand long weekends in 2026
New Year's Day & Day after New Year's Day
4 daysJan 1 – 4
Waitangi Day
3 daysFeb 6 – 8
Easter
4 daysApr 3 – 6
Good Friday and Easter Monday bracket the weekend — four days off.
Anzac Day
3 daysApr 25 – 27
The weekend plus the Monday Mondayisation of Anzac Day.
King's Birthday
3 daysMay 30 – Jun 1
Matariki
3 daysJul 10 – 12
Labour Day
3 daysOct 24 – 26
Christmas
4 daysDec 25 – 28
Christmas Day on Friday through the Boxing Day Mondayisation on Monday — four days in a row.
New Zealand public holidays and "Mondayisation"
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays. For New Year (Jan 1–2), Waitangi Day, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, a rule called "Mondayisation" applies: if the date falls on a weekend, the day off transfers to the following Monday (or Tuesday) so employees do not lose the holiday. In 2026 Anzac Day and Boxing Day both fall on a Saturday, so each is Mondayised.
Waitangi Day (Feb 6) marks the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document. Anzac Day (Apr 25) commemorates those who served in war. Both are national days of remembrance and are Mondayised when they land on a weekend.
Matariki and regional anniversary days
Matariki, the Māori New Year, became New Zealand's newest public holiday in 2022 and is the first to recognise te ao Māori (the Māori world view). Its date is set each year by the rising of the Matariki (Pleiades) star cluster and always falls on a Friday — July 10 in 2026.
On top of the national holidays, each region observes its own Anniversary Day — for example Auckland (late January), Wellington (around January 22), Canterbury (mid November) and Otago (late March). These are public holidays only within that region, so a day off in Auckland may be a normal working day in Wellington.
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Official sources & data
- Public holidaysVisit sourceEmployment New Zealand
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does New Zealand have in 2026?+
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays in 2026. On top of these, each region has one additional Anniversary Day, so most people get 12 public holidays in total depending on where they live.
When is Matariki 2026?+
Matariki is on Friday July 10, 2026. The date changes each year because it follows the reappearance of the Matariki star cluster; the dates are set in advance by law and always land on a Friday, creating a three-day long weekend.
Why is Anzac Day observed on April 27 in 2026?+
Anzac Day is April 25, which falls on a Saturday in 2026. Under Mondayisation, when Anzac Day lands on a weekend the public holiday transfers to the following Monday, so the day off is Monday April 27. The commemorations themselves are still held on April 25.
Are regional anniversary days public holidays everywhere?+
No. Each Anniversary Day is a public holiday only within its own region. For example, Auckland Anniversary Day is a day off in Auckland but a normal working day elsewhere. Employers usually apply the anniversary day for the region where the employee works.
What are the long weekends in New Zealand in 2026?+
Easter (Apr 3–6) and Christmas (Dec 25–28) are four-day breaks. Anzac Day (Apr 25–27), King's Birthday (May 30–Jun 1), Matariki (Jul 10–12) and Labour Day (Oct 24–26) each give a three-day weekend. Your regional anniversary day adds one more.
