Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: May 19, 2026
New Zealand observes 11 public holidays in 2026. 11 fall on a weekday and 0 land on a weekend, leaving 250 working days across the year on the national-only count.
2026 public holidays calendar
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Jan 1
Thursday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Thursday January 1 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Jan 2
Friday
Day after New Year's Day
Day after New Year's Day on Friday January 2 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Feb 6
Friday
Waitangi Day
Waitangi Day on Friday February 6 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 3
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 3 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 6
Monday
Easter Monday
Easter Monday on Monday April 6 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 27
Monday
ANZAC Day (observed)
ANZAC Day (observed) on Monday April 27 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Jun 1
Monday
King's Birthday
King's Birthday on Monday June 1 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Jul 10
Friday
Matariki
Matariki on Friday July 10 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Oct 26
Monday
Labour Day
Labour Day on Monday October 26 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 25
Friday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Friday December 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 28
Monday
Boxing Day (observed)
Boxing Day (observed) on Monday December 28 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
2026 year summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Public holidays on weekdays
11
Working days
250
All 11 public holidays land on weekdays in 2026, producing the maximum working-day reduction New Zealand typically sees in a non-leap year. New Zealand observes 12 public holidays under the Holidays Act 2003. The 2014 Mondayisation amendment shifts New Year's Day, Day after New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day to the next available weekday when they fall on a weekend.
Holidays not included
Provincial anniversary days (Auckland Anniversary, Wellington Anniversary, Canterbury Anniversary, Otago Anniversary, and others) are statutory public holidays in their respective regions but are not in this national-only set. Each region's day is set by Order in Council under the Holidays Act 2003. For region-specific contracts seated in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, add the relevant anniversary date into the calculator's Advanced options. Easter Sunday is not a public holiday under New Zealand law and is also not included.
How many public holidays does New Zealand have in 2026?
New Zealand observes 11 public holidays in 2026. Of those, 11 fall on a weekday and 0 land on a weekend. The complete list with dates and weekday placements is in the calendar table above.
How many working days does New Zealand have in 2026?
New Zealand has 250 working days in 2026 on the national-only count, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 11 weekday-falling public holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.
Which 2026 public holiday dates fall on a weekday?
11 of New Zealand's 11 public holidays in 2026 fall on a weekday and reduce the working days count: New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1); Day after New Year's Day (Friday, January 2); Waitangi Day (Friday, February 6); Good Friday (Friday, April 3); Easter Monday (Monday, April 6); ANZAC Day (observed) (Monday, April 27); King's Birthday (Monday, June 1); Matariki (Friday, July 10); Labour Day (Monday, October 26); Christmas Day (Friday, December 25); Boxing Day (observed) (Monday, December 28).