Complete list of public holidays in New Zealand for 2026. Find all national holidays, regional anniversary days, and important dates to plan your year ahead.
Planning your year in New Zealand? This guide provides every public holiday and important date for 2026.
List of Public Holidays in New Zealand 2026
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 – Saturday, April 25
Queen’s Birthday – Monday, June 1
Matariki – Friday, June 26
Labour Day – Monday, October 26
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
Boxing Day – Monday, December 28 (Mondayised as December 26 falls on Saturday)
Regional Anniversary Days
- Wellington Anniversary Day – Monday, January 26
- Auckland Anniversary Day – Monday, January 26
- Northland Anniversary Day – Monday, January 26
- Nelson Anniversary Day – Monday, February 2
- Otago Anniversary Day – Monday, March 23
- Taranaki Anniversary Day – Monday, March 9
- South Canterbury Anniversary Day – Monday, September 28
- Hawke’s Bay Anniversary Day – Friday, October 23
- Marlborough Anniversary Day – Monday, November 2
- Canterbury Anniversary Day – Friday, November 13
- Westland Anniversary Day – Monday, November 30
- Chatham Islands Anniversary Day – Monday, November 30
Other Important Holidays
Valentine’s Day – Saturday, February 14
Daylight Saving Ends – Sunday, April 5
Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 10
Father’s Day – Sunday, September 6
Daylight Saving Begins – Sunday, September 27
Halloween – Saturday, October 31
Guy Fawkes Day – Thursday, November 5
For official employment rights and entitlements, visit the New Zealand Government’s public holidays page.
Summary
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays in 2026 plus regional anniversary days based on your location.
Long weekends occur during New Year (four days), Easter (four days), Queen’s Birthday, Matariki, Labour Day, and Christmas extending into 2027.
Regional anniversary days provide additional three-day weekends depending on where you work.
Plan ahead for peak travel periods during Christmas, New Year, and Easter when bookings fill quickly.
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