11 Public Holidays
New Zealand Public Holidays
View NZ public holidays 2026 as listed by Employment New Zealand. Includes all 11 national dates, Mondayisation rules for ANZAC Day and Boxing Day, Matariki, and regional anniversary day notes.
Country
Year 2026
2 Mondayised Dates
Matariki Māori New Year
NZ Public Holidays 2026
Switch between the detailed list and month-by-month calendar view.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type | Observed / Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | - | |
| January 2, 2026 | Friday | Day after New Year's Day | - | |
| February 6, 2026 | Friday | Waitangi Day | - | |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | - | |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | - | |
| April 27, 2026 | Monday | ANZAC Day | April 25, 2026 | |
| June 1, 2026 | Monday | King's Birthday | - | |
| July 10, 2026 | Friday | Matariki | Māori New Year. Date set annually by the Matariki Advisory Committee. | |
| October 26, 2026 | Monday | Labour Day | - | |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | - | |
| December 28, 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day | December 26, 2026 |
Data from Employment New Zealand – Public Holidays, Employment New Zealand – Overview Last updated June 17, 2026
January
- New Year's Day Thursday
- Day after New Year's Day Friday
February
- Waitangi Day Friday
March
No holidays this month.
April
- Good Friday Friday
- Easter Monday Monday
- ANZAC Day Monday · observed date
May
No holidays this month.
June
- King's Birthday Monday
July
- Matariki Friday
August
No holidays this month.
September
No holidays this month.
October
- Labour Day Monday
November
No holidays this month.
December
- Christmas Day Friday
- Boxing Day Monday · observed date
Understanding NZ Holidays
Mondayisation
New Zealand public holidays follow Mondayisation rules, which means when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the observed day shifts to the following Monday so employees don't miss out. In 2026, two public holidays in New Zealand are Mondayised: ANZAC Day (Saturday April 25, observed Monday April 27) and Boxing Day (Saturday December 26, observed Monday December 28). This makes the observed dates the ones that matter for payroll, rosters, and leave planning.
Matariki
Matariki is New Zealand's newest public holiday, celebrating the Māori New Year marked by the rising of the Matariki star cluster. In 2026, Matariki falls on Friday July 10. The date is set annually by the Matariki Advisory Committee, so it shifts each year. Matariki is unique to New Zealand and one of the reasons the new zealand public holidays 2026 list differs from other countries in the region.
Regional Anniversary Days
In addition to the 11 national public holidays in NZ, each region observes a provincial anniversary day. These regional dates are not included in the national list but are relevant for employers and employees in specific areas. Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and other regions each have their own anniversary day, typically falling on a Monday near the founding date of the province. Check Employment New Zealand or your regional council for the exact public holidays NZ 2026 date in your area.
FAQ
How many NZ public holidays are there in 2026?
There are 11 national NZ public holidays in 2026, as listed by Employment New Zealand. They run from New Year's Day on January 1 to Boxing Day on December 26, with the observed date for Boxing Day falling on Monday December 28 due to Mondayisation.
What is Mondayisation for New Zealand public holidays?
Mondayisation is the rule that shifts a New Zealand public holiday to the following Monday when it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, so employees receive the day off during the working week. In 2026, two NZ public holidays are Mondayised: ANZAC Day moves from Saturday April 25 to Monday April 27, and Boxing Day moves from Saturday December 26 to Monday December 28.
When is ANZAC Day 2026 observed in New Zealand?
ANZAC Day falls on Saturday April 25, 2026. Under New Zealand's Mondayisation rule, the observed public holiday is Monday April 27, 2026. This is the date that applies for payroll, leave entitlements, and business closures.
When is Matariki 2026 in New Zealand?
Matariki falls on Friday July 10, 2026. The date is determined each year by the Matariki Advisory Committee based on the lunar calendar and the rising of the Matariki star cluster. Matariki is a national public holiday unique to New Zealand, making it a distinctive entry on the NZ public holidays 2026 list.
Are NZ public holidays 2026 the same in every region?
The 11 national NZ public holidays apply across all regions. However, each region also observes a provincial anniversary day on a different date, which adds one more public holiday for people in that area. Regional anniversary days are not included in the national NZ public holidays 2026 list and should be checked through Employment New Zealand or your local regional council.
What is the official source for NZ public holidays 2026?
The official source for New Zealand public holidays is Employment New Zealand at employment.govt.nz. The site lists all 11 national dates for 2026, including observed dates under Mondayisation, and provides guidance on how public holidays apply to different employment situations.
Which NZ public holidays 2026 create long weekends?
Several NZ public holidays in 2026 create long weekends. Waitangi Day falls on Friday February 6, creating a three-day weekend. ANZAC Day is observed on Monday April 27, giving a long weekend from Saturday April 25. King's Birthday is Monday June 1, Matariki is Friday July 10, and Labour Day is Monday October 26. Christmas Day on Friday December 25 and the Boxing Day observed date on Monday December 28 create an extended holiday period.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in New Zealand in 2026?
Yes. Boxing Day is one of New Zealand's 11 national public holidays. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on Saturday December 26, so the observed public holiday under Mondayisation is Monday December 28. This is the date used for leave entitlements and payroll purposes.
How should employers use the NZ public holidays 2026 list for payroll?
Employers should use the observed dates from the NZ public holidays 2026 list for payroll planning, not just the actual dates. ANZAC Day and Boxing Day both have Mondayised observed dates in 2026 that differ from the calendar date. Employers should also check whether any employees are covered by regional anniversary days that add a further public holiday in their area.
What makes New Zealand public holidays different from Australia?
New Zealand public holidays include Waitangi Day, Matariki, and provincial anniversary days that have no equivalent in Australia. Mondayisation applies to ANZAC Day in both countries in 2026, but the treatment of Boxing Day and other holiday rules differ. New Zealand also does not have state-based holiday lists in the same way Australia does, making the national NZ public holidays 2026 list more directly applicable to most workers.