Everyone
Public holidays and anniversary dates
Employees have minimum rights that apply to public holidays.
Public holidays and anniversary dates
An employee is entitled to a paid day off if a public holiday falls on a day they would otherwise be working.
Public holiday dates
The observed date is when employees get the holiday. See the information below for more about actual versus observed dates.
2024
| Holiday | Actual Date | Observed date |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January |
Monday 1 January |
| Day after New Year's Day | 2 January | Tuesday 2 January |
| Waitangi Day | 6 February | Tuesday 6 February |
|
Good Friday |
Varies | Friday 29 March |
| Easter Monday | Varies | Monday 1 April |
| ANZAC Day | 25 April | Thursday 25 April |
| King's Birthday | 1st Monday in June | Monday 3 June |
| Matariki | Varies | Friday 28 June |
|
Labour Day |
4th Monday in October | Monday 28 October |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Wednesday 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Thursday 26 December |
2025
| Holiday | Actual Date | Observed date |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | Wednesday 1 January |
| Day after New Year's Day | 2 January | Thursday 2 January |
| Waitangi Day | 6 February | Thursday 6 February |
|
Good Friday |
Varies | Friday 18 April |
| Easter Monday | Varies | Monday 21 April |
| ANZAC Day | 25 April | Friday 25 April |
| King's Birthday | 1st Monday in June | Monday 2 June |
| Matariki | Varies | Friday 20 June |
|
Labour Day |
4th Monday in October | Monday 27 October |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Thursday 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Friday 26 December |
More dates:
Previous years – public holidays and anniversaries
School holiday dates – Ministry of Education(external link)
Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2 January holiday:
These public holidays are observed on the actual day when they fall on a weekday. When they fall on a Saturday/Sunday:
- If the employee would normally have worked on the Saturday/Sunday, the public holiday is observed on the Saturday/Sunday.
- If the employee would not normally have worked on the Saturday/Sunday, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday (or in some cases Tuesday).
Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day:
The public holidays for ANZAC Day and Waitangi Day are “Mondayised” (moved to the following Monday) if they fall on a Saturday/Sunday and the employee would not normally have worked on that Saturday/Sunday.
Public holidays falling on a weekend
Easter:
Easter dates are confirmed by the Catholic Church.
Regional anniversary dates
The observed date is when a public holiday is celebrated, which may or may not be the actual anniversary date. See the notes below for more about actual versus observed dates.
2024
| Province | Actual date | Observed date |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 29 January | Monday 29 January |
| Taranaki | 31 March | Monday 11 March |
| Hawke's Bay | 1 November | Friday 25 October |
| Wellington | 1 February | Monday 22 January |
| Marlborough | 16 December | Monday 4 November |
| Nelson | 1 February | Monday 29 January |
| Canterbury | 16 December | Friday 15 November |
| Canterbury (South) | 16 December | Monday 23 September |
| Westland | 1 December | Monday 2 December |
| Otago | 23 March | Monday 25 March |
| Southland | 17 January | Tuesday 2 April |
| Chatham Islands | 30 November | Monday 2 December |
2025
| Province | Actual date | Observed date |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland |
29 January |
Monday 27 January |
| Taranaki | 31 March | Monday 10 March |
| Hawke's Bay | 1 November | Friday 24 October |
| Wellington | 22 January | Monday 20 January |
| Marlborough | 1 November | Monday 3 November |
| Nelson | 1 February | Monday 3 February |
| Canterbury | 16 December | Friday 14 November |
| Canterbury (South) | 16 December | Monday 22 September |
| Westland | 1 December | Monday 1 December |
| Otago | 23 March | Monday 24 March |
| Southland | 17 January | Tuesday 22 April |
| Chatham Islands | 30 November | Monday 1 December |
Provincial anniversary days are generally observed on the Monday nearest to the actual day.
However, local custom and historical precedence can lead to observance on other days. Exceptions are listed below (subject to change over time):
- Taranaki Anniversary: Moves to 2nd Monday in March to avoid Easter.
- Hawke's Bay Anniversary: Moves to Friday before Labour Day.
- Marlborough Anniversary: Observed 1st Monday after Labour Day.
- Canterbury Anniversary: Northern and Central Canterbury areas observe Christchurch Show Day. The definition for the Canterbury Anniversary Day celebration as decided by Christchurch City is the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November each year. South Canterbury observes Dominion Day, the 4th Monday in September.
- Westland Anniversary: Varies throughout Westland, but Greymouth observes the official day.
- Otago Anniversary: As there is no easily determined single day of local observance for Otago, the employee and employer should rely on either their employment agreement or their custom and practice. Where there is no clear custom and practice, they should try and agree on how they will observe Anniversary Day.
- Southland Anniversary: Normally observed on Easter Tuesday.
Setting of public holidays
The Holidays Act 2003 lists the holidays but does not generally set dates for them.
Some holidays are set by legislation (for example, Waitangi Day Act 1976, ANZAC Day Act 1966, Sovereigns Birthday Observance Act 1952). Others are religious holidays (Easter and Christmas). Provincial Anniversary Days are observed locally by custom and practice and are generally prescribed by regional or city councils. These provinces relate to the former provinces of 19th-century New Zealand and are not determined by present-day districts or regions.
Waitangi Day Act 1976 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
ANZAC Day Act 1966 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)
Sovereigns Birthday Observance Act 1952 - New Zealand Legislation(external link)