Your Complete Holiday Guide
Everything you need to know about New Zealand public holidays β rules, Mondayisation, regional days, and more. Updated for 2026-2027.
π Mondayisation
As of 1 January 2014, Waitangi Day and Anzac Day became "Mondayised". This means if they fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday becomes the official day off work. This law ensures that NZ workers don't lose a public holiday just because it falls on a weekend.
π New Year's Day
These are always on 1 and 2 January. If one or both fall on a weekend, the holiday is observed on the next available working weekday. New Year's Day and Day after New Year's Day are the first two national holidays of the calendar year.
π³πΏ Waitangi Day
6 February - Commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Tiriti o Waitangi) in 1840. Always Mondayised if on a weekend. It is considered the national day of New Zealand.
π£ Easter
Good Friday and Easter Monday provide two public holidays. The dates change based on the lunisolar calendar. Good Friday is one of the few days with restricted shop opening hours in Aotearoa.
β¨ Matariki
MΔori New Year - Marks the rising of the Pleiades star cluster. It always falls on a Friday in June or July, based on the MΔori lunar calendar. It became an official public holiday in 2022.
πͺ Labour Day
The fourth Monday in October. Celebrates the achievements of NZ workers and the 8-hour working day movement, which started in Wellington in 1840.
π Regional Anniversary Days
Each province in New Zealand has its own anniversary day, celebrated typically on the Monday or Friday closest to its actual date. These are regional specific holidays and only applies to workers in that specific province.
Auckland Province
Observed on the Monday closest to 29 January.
Wellington Province
Observed on the Monday closest to 22 January.
Canterbury
Observed on the second Friday after first Tuesday of Nov (Christchurch Show Day).
Southland
Celebrated on Easter Tuesday in Southland province.
πͺ Shop Opening Rules
In New Zealand, there are strict rules for trading on certain public holidays. Most retail shops must remain closed until 1pm on ANZAC Day and all day on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day.
Exemptions exist for pharmacies, service stations, dairies, and restaurants in some specific areas or types of business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the next public holiday in NZ?
The next holiday depends on the current date, but national holidays include New Year's, Waitangi Day, Easter, ANZAC Day, Matariki, King's Birthday, Labour Day, and Christmas.
Q: What is Mondayisation in New Zealand?
Mondayisation occurs when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday and is moved to the following Monday (or Tuesday) for workers who don't normally work on weekends.
Q: Are shops open on Good Friday in NZ?
Most shops must remain closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day, with some exceptions for essential services like pharmacies and dairies.