Every NZ public holiday in 2026 and 2027
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays a year. Most people also get a regional anniversary day, which depends on the province they live in. Where a holiday falls on a weekend, the table shows the weekday most people get off instead.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu 1 Jan | Fri 1 Jan |
| Day after New Year's Day | Fri 2 Jan | Mon 4 Jan (falls on Sat 2 Jan) |
| Waitangi Day | Fri 6 Feb | Mon 8 Feb (falls on Sat 6 Feb) |
| Good Friday | Fri 3 Apr | Fri 26 Mar |
| Easter Monday | Mon 6 Apr | Mon 29 Mar |
| ANZAC Day | Mon 27 Apr (falls on Sat 25 Apr) | Mon 26 Apr (falls on Sun 25 Apr) |
| King's Birthday | Mon 1 Jun | Mon 7 Jun |
| Matariki | Fri 10 Jul | Fri 25 Jun |
| Labour Day | Mon 26 Oct | Mon 25 Oct |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec | Mon 27 Dec (falls on Sat 25 Dec) |
| Boxing Day | Mon 28 Dec (falls on Sat 26 Dec) | Tue 28 Dec (falls on Sun 26 Dec) |
How Mondayisation works
When some public holidays land on a Saturday or Sunday, the day off moves to the following weekday. That's called Mondayisation. There are two rules, and which one applies depends on the holiday.
Christmas, Boxing Day, 1 January and 2 January
If you would normally have worked on the weekend day, that day is your public holiday. If you wouldn't, your holiday moves to the following Monday. When two of these holidays fall on the same weekend, the second one moves to the Tuesday.
That's why Boxing Day 2027 is observed on Tuesday 28 December. Christmas falls on the Saturday and takes the Monday, and Boxing Day falls on the Sunday and takes the Tuesday.
Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day
These move to the Monday if they fall on a weekend and you wouldn't normally have worked that day. In 2027 both are Mondayised. Waitangi Day moves to Monday 8 February and ANZAC Day to Monday 26 April.
The other holidays in 2026 and 2027 all fall on weekdays, so none of them move.
Regional anniversary days
Each province has its own anniversary day. Most are held on the Monday nearest the actual anniversary, but a few follow their own rule. Employment New Zealand says to check with your local council if you're not sure which one applies to you.
| Province | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington | Mon 19 Jan | Mon 25 Jan |
| Auckland | Mon 26 Jan | Mon 1 Feb |
| Nelson | Mon 2 Feb | Mon 1 Feb |
| Taranaki | Mon 9 Mar | Mon 8 Mar |
| Otago | Mon 23 Mar | Mon 22 Mar |
| Southland | Tue 7 Apr | Tue 30 Mar |
| South Canterbury | Mon 28 Sep | Mon 27 Sep |
| Hawke's Bay | Fri 23 Oct | Fri 22 Oct |
| Marlborough | Mon 2 Nov | Mon 1 Nov |
| Canterbury (Show Day) | Fri 13 Nov | Fri 12 Nov |
| Westland | Mon 30 Nov | Mon 29 Nov |
| Chatham Islands | Mon 30 Nov | Mon 29 Nov |
The ones with their own rules
- Taranaki: the second Monday in March.
- Otago: varies, by agreement or local custom.
- Southland: normally Easter Tuesday, the day after Easter Monday.
- South Canterbury: the fourth Monday in September.
- Hawke's Bay: the Friday before Labour Day.
- Marlborough: the first Monday after Labour Day.
- Canterbury: the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November. It lines up with Christchurch Show Day.
Matariki dates
Matariki moves each year. The dates are set out in the Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022. All three of the next dates are Fridays.
| Year | Matariki public holiday |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday 10 July |
| 2027 | Friday 25 June |
| 2028 | Friday 14 July |
Planning a deadline around the holidays? Count the working days.
Open the working days calculator →Questions people ask
How many public holidays does New Zealand have?
11 national public holidays a year. Most people also get a regional anniversary day, which depends on their province.
What is Mondayisation?
When Christmas, Boxing Day, 1 January, 2 January, Waitangi Day or ANZAC Day falls on a weekend you wouldn't normally work, your public holiday moves to the following Monday. If two fall on the same weekend, the second moves to the Tuesday.
When is Matariki in 2026 and 2027?
Friday 10 July 2026 and Friday 25 June 2027. In 2028 it's Friday 14 July.
When is Labour Day 2026?
Monday 26 October 2026. In 2027 it's Monday 25 October.
When are Christmas and Boxing Day observed in 2027?
Christmas Day falls on Saturday 25 December 2027 and Boxing Day on Sunday 26 December. If you don't normally work weekends, you get Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December off instead.
When is Easter 2027?
Good Friday is 26 March 2027 and Easter Monday is 29 March 2027. Southland's anniversary day is the next day, Tuesday 30 March.
What am I paid if I work on a public holiday?
Employment New Zealand sets out what you're paid if you work on a public holiday. Their public holidays guide is linked below.
Sources: Employment New Zealand, Public holidays and anniversary dates and When a public holiday falls on a weekend; New Zealand Legislation, Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022. Dates checked October 2026.