How New Zealand Public Holidays Work
Observed Dates
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it's observed on the following Monday (or Monday and Tuesday for Christmas and Boxing Day). This ensures employees get a full day off.
Example: If Waitangi Day (Feb 6) falls on a Sunday, it's observed on the following Monday.
Regional Anniversary Days
These are regional public holidays that apply to specific areas only. Employees in the relevant region are entitled to a day off. Most are observed on a Monday closest to their historical dates to create long weekends.
Example: Auckland Anniversary Day is always the Monday closest to January 29.
Holiday Clashes
When a regional anniversary day falls on a national public holiday or another clash occurs, the dates are sometimes shifted to avoid conflicts. For instance, Anzac Day observed, Taranaki Anniversary may move if it conflicts with Easter.
Tip: Always check official sources for the current year when holidays overlap.
Employee Entitlements
Full-time employees are entitled to be paid for all national public holidays at their normal rate, regardless of the day of the week. For regional anniversary days, entitlements apply only in the relevant region.
Reference: Holidays Act 2003 governs public holiday entitlements in New Zealand.
Matariki
Matariki (Māori New Year) is the newest national public holiday in New Zealand, first observed in 2022. Unlike other holidays, the date changes each year because it follows the Māori lunar calendar — specifically the first new moon after the Matariki star cluster rises in the dawn sky in mid-winter.
Legislated dates: Each year's Matariki date is set in advance by the government. 2025: 25 June · 2026: 17 July · 2027: 9 July · 2028: 30 June.
Special Cases
Southland Anniversary Day is always Easter Tuesday, giving Southland a longer Easter break. Canterbury observes Christchurch Show Day (second Friday after first Tuesday in November), not a traditional anniversary date.
Unique: These regions have distinct holiday traditions based on their history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if Waitangi Day falls on a Sunday?
Waitangi Day (6 February) will be observed on the following Monday. This rule applies to most public holidays that fall on weekends. The principle is that employees are entitled to a full day off, so if the holiday lands on a weekend day when most wouldn't normally work, it's moved to the next weekday.
For example, if 6 February is a Sunday, it would be observed on Monday 7 February instead.
Are regional anniversary days mandatory?
Regional anniversary days are public holidays for the relevant region, meaning employees in that region are entitled to be paid for the day. However, the decision to observe it as a day off depends on your employment agreement and industry. Essential services may require some staff to work.
If you're required to work on a regional anniversary day, you must be paid for the day according to the Holidays Act 2003. Check with your employer about how your organisation handles regional anniversary days.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori New Year, celebrated when the Pleiades star cluster first rises in the dawn sky in mid-winter. It's a time for reflection on the past year and planning for the year ahead — connecting people, land and sky.
Matariki became a national public holiday in 2022. Each year's date is legislated in advance based on the Māori lunar calendar, which means it falls on different dates from year to year (anywhere from late June to late July). The word "Matariki" comes from "Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea" — the eyes of the atua Tāwhirimātea.
When is the next public holiday in New Zealand?
Check the banner at the top of this page for the next upcoming national public holiday. The exact date depends on today's date and the year. National public holidays include holidays like New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, Easter, ANZAC Day, King's Birthday, Labour Day, and Christmas.
For regional anniversary days, the next holiday depends on which region you're in. Use the region filter to see holidays specific to your area.
Do all employees get regional anniversary days?
Only employees in the relevant region are entitled to regional anniversary days. For example, if you work in Auckland, you get Auckland Anniversary Day off, but if you work in Wellington, you don't (you get Wellington Anniversary Day instead).
If you work in a region and your employer is based elsewhere, your entitlements are based on the region where you work. Multi-regional employers must honour the anniversary day in each region where they operate.
What happens when Christmas falls on a weekend?
When Christmas Day (25 December) or Boxing Day (26 December) fall on a weekend, the following weekday(s) are observed as public holidays. Specifically:
- If Christmas is on a Saturday, it's observed on the following Monday
- If Christmas is on a Sunday, it's observed on the following Monday
- If Boxing Day is on a Sunday, it's observed on the following Tuesday
- If both fall on a weekend, both the following Monday and Tuesday are observed
This ensures employees get a full day off during the Christmas period.
Which regions have unique anniversary days?
Southland Anniversary Day is always Easter Tuesday, giving Southland a longer Easter holiday compared to other regions.
Canterbury Anniversary Day is actually Christchurch Show Day, observed on the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November—not a traditional anniversary date.
Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day is always the Friday before Labour Day (fourth Monday in October), creating a four-day mid-October break.
All other regions observe their anniversary day on the Monday nearest to their historical date.
Can I work on a public holiday?
Yes, some industries require work on public holidays (healthcare, retail, hospitality, etc.). If you work on a public holiday, you must be paid for the work. Typically, you receive your normal daily pay plus an additional payment (often 50-100% of daily pay depending on your agreement).
Your employment agreement should outline how public holiday payments are calculated. If you work on a day that would normally be a substitute holiday, you might receive payment for both.
How is Matariki date determined each year?
Matariki is determined by the Māori lunar calendar — specifically, it falls on the Friday of the week containing the first new moon after the Matariki star cluster rises in the predawn sky. The government legislates each year's date in advance so businesses and employees have certainty. The dates from 2025 to 2028 are: 25 June 2025, 17 July 2026, 9 July 2027 and 30 June 2028.
The traditional Māori celebration depends on when the Pleiades stars are first visible, but the public holiday date follows the Friday rule for administrative purposes.