Public holidays in New Zealand are days set by law when workers get time off. For HR professionals, getting the holiday entitlements right is critical for compliance and payroll accuracy.
This guide features a table of all 11 national public holidays for 2026 and a breakdown of each. You'll also find out who gets the day off, answers to common questions, and why this matters for employers.
This is an official day off that marks important events on New Zealand's calendar. Think of these as the 11 days when staff automatically get time off each year. Employers can't swap them out or decide not to offer them.
Some people call them statutory (stat) holidays because they have legal force behind them. The Holidays Act 2003 spells out exactly how they work, which means employers can't negotiate them away in employment contracts.
Keep reading to see the full 2026 public holiday calendar and what each holiday means for your workplace.
The following table shows all 11 national public holidays for 2026. After that, you'll find a breakdown of each one:
| NZ public holiday calendar for 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Holiday | Date |
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January |
| Day after New Year’s Day | Friday 2 January |
| Waitangi Day | Friday 6 February |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April |
| Anzac Day | 25 April (Observed Monday 27 April) |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 1 June |
| Matariki | Friday 10 July |
| Labour Day | Monday 26 October |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December (Observed Monday 28 December) |
These holidays apply nationwide to all workers in New Zealand. Workers also get one regional anniversary public holiday based on where they work. This brings the total statutory holiday entitlement to 12 days per year.
Each of these national holidays has its own pattern and history worth understanding. Some holidays also get moved to Monday if they fall on weekends, which is called Mondayisation. The sections below break down each holiday and explain what makes it unique:
when it falls: always 1 January (fixed date)
2026 date: Thursday 1 January
who gets the day off: workers for whom 1 January is normally a working day
New Year's Day marks the start of the new calendar year and is celebrated nationwide.
This is one of four public holidays during the Christmas and New Year period. Most businesses close for an extended break, though hospitality and healthcare typically stay open.
when it falls: always 2 January (fixed date)
2026 date: Friday 2 January
who gets the day off: workers who would normally work on 2 January
This public holiday extends the New Year break and gives workers an extra day to recover from celebrations. This creates a two-day break alongside New Year's Day at the start of the year. Workers can only claim four public holidays maximum during this period, even when Mondayisation applies.
when it falls: always 6 February (fixed date)
2026 date: Friday 6 February
who gets the day off: workers for whom 6 February is an otherwise working day
Waitangi Day recognises the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown. It's one of New Zealand's most significant national days.
The treaty is New Zealand's founding document that shapes the Crown-Māori relationship. It became a public holiday in 1974 to honour the country's bicultural heritage. Read this article for more on Waitangi Day pay and entitlements.
when it falls: movable date (changes each year based on the lunar calendar)
2026 date: Friday 3 April
who gets the day off: workers for whom the Friday is an otherwise working day
This one is a Christian public holiday that marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It always falls on the Friday ahead of Easter Sunday.
Strict trading laws keep most shops closed on Good Friday, guaranteeing retail workers the day off. The date changes each year because Easter follows the lunar calendar rather than a fixed date.
when it falls: movable date (always the Monday after Easter Sunday)
2026 date: Monday 6 April
who gets the day off: workers who would normally work on the Monday
Easter Monday pairs with Good Friday to create a four-day break for many workers. Like Good Friday, it moves each year according to the timing of Easter.
when it falls: always 25 April (fixed date)
2026 date: Saturday 25 April (observed Monday 27 April)
who gets the day off: workers for whom Monday 27 April is an otherwise working day
Anzac Day commemorates New Zealand and Australian service members who served in wars and conflicts. The date marks the 1915 Gallipoli landings during World War I.
This holiday has special trading restrictions until 1 pm, even when it's Mondayised. Dawn services and commemorative events happen across the country on the actual date of 25 April.
when it falls: first Monday in June (movable within the month)
2026 date: Monday 1 June
who gets the day off: workers who would normally work on the first Monday in June
This public holiday celebrates the reigning monarch of New Zealand. It's not held on the King's actual birthday.
The holiday was called Queen's Birthday until the succession of King Charles III. Because it always falls on a Monday, it creates a three-day weekend every year.
when it falls: movable date (determined by the rising of the Pleiades star cluster, usually mid-June to mid-July)
2026 date: Friday 10 July
who gets the day off: workers for whom Friday 10 July is an otherwise working day
This marks the Māori New Year and is celebrated when the Matariki star cluster rises. It became New Zealand's newest public holiday in 2022.
The exact date is set years in advance by Māori astronomy experts. The Matariki public holiday celebrates new beginnings, remembering those who have passed, and planning for the future.
when it falls: fourth Monday in October (movable within the month)
2026 date: Monday 26 October
who gets the day off: workers who would normally work on the fourth Monday in October
Labour Day celebrates workers' rights and the labour movement in New Zealand. It was first observed in 1890 to recognise the fight for the eight-hour working day.
The holiday creates a long weekend in spring each year. Many New Zealanders use this break for travel or outdoor activities as the weather warms up.
when it falls: always 25 December (fixed date)
2026 date: Friday 25 December
who gets the day off: workers for whom 25 December is an otherwise working day
This day is a Christian religious holiday that honours the birth of Jesus Christ. It's one of the most widely observed public holidays in New Zealand.
This is often seen as the most restricted stat holiday, with almost all shops closed except essential services. Workers can only claim four public holidays maximum during the Christmas and New Year period, regardless of their work pattern.
when it falls: always 26 December (fixed date)
2026 date: Saturday 26 December (observed Monday 28 December)
who gets the day off: workers for whom Monday 28 December is an otherwise working day
Boxing Day follows immediately after Christmas and extends the holiday period. The name comes from the British tradition of giving boxes of gifts to service workers.
Boxing Day is the biggest shopping day of the year with major sales events. Workers cannot claim both Saturday 26 December and the observed Monday 28 December as separate public holidays.
In addition to the 11 national holidays, workers get one regional anniversary based on their workplace location. Also known as provincial anniversary days, these commemorate New Zealand's former provinces and fall on different dates throughout the year. These regions each observe their own anniversary day:
| Regional Anniversary Days |
|---|
| Auckland (includes Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Northland and Gisborne regions) |
| Canterbury (South) |
| Canterbury |
| Chatham Islands |
| Hawke’s Bay |
| Marlborough |
| Nelson (includes Tasman and Buller regions) |
| Otago |
| Southland |
| Taranaki |
| Wellington (includes Manawatu and Whanganui regions) |
| Westland |
Workers can only claim one regional anniversary per year, even when working across multiple regions. Employers and employees should agree which anniversary applies if the worker is temporarily based elsewhere.
Managing public holidays means understanding a few key terms and concepts that shape how you calculate pay and leave. The most important ones are:
For detailed explanations of each term, real-world case studies, and pay calculation examples, see our comprehensive guide to public holidays in New Zealand.
Getting stat holiday entitlements wrong can be expensive, with the health sector paying millions in remediation costs. This means HR teams need accurate tracking, proper calculations, and careful record keeping to avoid penalties.
The new Employment Leave Bill will shift public holidays to an hours-based system. With a 24-month transition period ahead, HR teams should review their current processes and prepare for these reforms now.
Here are quick answers to some common questions that are related to public holidays:
Public holidays shape New Zealand's work, rest, and celebration patterns throughout the year. Check back for 2027 updates once the government confirms the dates.
Public holidays in 2026 bring both opportunities and compliance challenges for HR teams. Understanding the dates, rules, and upcoming reforms helps you avoid costly payroll errors and keeps your workforce informed.
Bookmark this page so it's easy to find later in the year. You can also visit our news section for more workplace updates.
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