Public holidays in New Zealand
The next public holiday, every holiday and anniversary day for your province, and one tap to put them in your phone’s calendar. Dates from Employment New Zealand.
Anniversary days follow New Zealand’s old provinces from the 1800s, not today’s regions or council areas. Not sure which is yours? Check with your local council.
The next 12 months in Canterbury (South)
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Labour Day
Monday, 26 October 2026 (26/10/2026)
Marks the fight for the eight-hour working day.
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Christmas Day
Friday, 25 December 2026 (25/12/2026)
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Boxing Day
Monday, 28 December 2026 (28/12/2026)
Weekend Actual day Saturday, 26 December: you get that day if you’d normally work it, otherwise the Monday above.
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New Year’s Day
Friday, 1 January 2027 (01/01/2027)
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Day after New Year’s Day
Monday, 4 January 2027 (04/01/2027)
Weekend Actual day Saturday, 2 January: you get that day if you’d normally work it, otherwise the Monday above.
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Waitangi Day
Monday, 8 February 2027 (08/02/2027)
Weekend Actual day Saturday, 6 February: you get that day if you’d normally work it, otherwise the Monday above.
New Zealand’s national day, marking the first signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840.
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Good Friday
Friday, 26 March 2027 (26/03/2027)
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Easter Monday
Monday, 29 March 2027 (29/03/2027)
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Anzac Day
Monday, 26 April 2027 (26/04/2027)
Weekend Actual day Sunday, 25 April: you get that day if you’d normally work it, otherwise the Monday above.
Remembers New Zealanders and Australians who served and died in war.
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King’s Birthday
Monday, 7 June 2027 (07/06/2027)
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Matariki · Te Kāhui o Matariki
Friday, 25 June 2027 (25/06/2027)
Te Kāhui o Matariki: the Māori new year, when the Matariki star cluster rises again. A time to remember, celebrate the present and plan for the year ahead. The date changes every year.
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Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day
Monday, 27 September 2027 (27/09/2027)Anniversary day
Regional anniversary day (actual date 16 December). Dominion Day: the 4th Monday in September.
When a holiday falls on a weekend
Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and 2 January
If you’d normally work that Saturday or Sunday, the holiday stays on that day for you. If you wouldn’t, it moves to the next Monday (sometimes the Tuesday).
Waitangi Day and Anzac Day
“Mondayised”: if you wouldn’t normally work that Saturday or Sunday, you get the following Monday instead.
On the farm
Milking, calving and lambing don’t stop for holidays. If someone on your team usually works the weekend day a holiday lands on, that weekend day is their public holiday. Check each person’s roster against the list above, and talk it through early for Christmas and New Year.
General information only, not employment or legal advice. For pay, alternative days off and your own situation, see Employment New Zealand: when a public holiday falls on a weekend (opens in a new tab).
Regional anniversary days
Each province has its own day. Most are kept on the Monday nearest the actual date, but some follow local custom.
| Province | Actual date | 2026 | 2027 | How it’s set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 29 January | Mon 26/01/2026 | Mon 01/02/2027 | Monday nearest the actual day. |
| Taranaki | 31 March | Mon 09/03/2026 | Mon 08/03/2027 | Moves to the 2nd Monday in March to avoid Easter. |
| Hawke’s Bay | 1 November | Fri 23/10/2026 | Fri 22/10/2027 | Friday before Labour Day. |
| Wellington | 22 January | Mon 19/01/2026 | Mon 25/01/2027 | Monday nearest the actual day. |
| Marlborough | 1 November | Mon 02/11/2026 | Mon 01/11/2027 | 1st Monday after Labour Day. |
| Nelson | 1 February | Mon 02/02/2026 | Mon 01/02/2027 | Monday nearest the actual day. |
| Canterbury (North and Central) | 16 December | Fri 13/11/2026 | Fri 12/11/2027 | Christchurch Show Day: the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November. |
| Canterbury (South) | 16 December | Mon 28/09/2026 | Mon 27/09/2027 | Dominion Day: the 4th Monday in September. |
| Westland | 1 December | Mon 30/11/2026 | Mon 29/11/2027 | Varies around Westland; Greymouth keeps the official day. |
| Otago | 23 March | Mon 23/03/2026 | Mon 22/03/2027 | No single local day: go by your employment agreement or usual practice, or agree one with your employer. |
| Southland | 17 January | Tue 07/04/2026 | Tue 30/03/2027 | Usually Easter Tuesday. |
| Chatham Islands | 30 November | Mon 30/11/2026 | Mon 29/11/2027 | Monday nearest the actual day. |
Dates from Employment New Zealand: public holidays and anniversary dates (opens in a new tab), checked on 02/10/2026. Employment New Zealand notes that anniversary dates can contain errors, so for the most reliable date check with your local council. Weekdays are worked out from the dates. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.