2024 Full List of New Zealand's Public Holidays (Update)
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| Full List of New Zealand Public Holidays In 2024 |
| Contents |
How many public holidays in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, there are up to 11 public holidays that hold significant national, religious, or cultural value. The observed date varies, although they occur annually at roughly the same time.
It's possible that you are unaware of your rights on New Zealand public holidays if you are relocating to the country for employment or if you recently started working after finishing your studies.
Public holidays are days set aside for celebrations of various holidays or days when a lot of establishments, including government offices, schools, and businesses, close. The Holidays Act of 2003 governs these holidays.
Matariki was the most recent public holiday to be introduced to the calendar in New Zealand; it was first observed in 2022. In 2023, Queen Elizabeth II passed away, and King Charles became the new monarch, thereby changing the name of the holiday to King's Birthday.
In addition to federal holidays, every area observes an anniversary day on which a lot of employees take the day off. This implies that the majority of Kiwis who work will have 12 public holidays off annually.
New Zealand began to "Mondayize" its public holidays in 2014. Previously, the day off was transferred to Monday if the holiday fell on a Saturday or Sunday.
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What distinguishes New Zealand's statutory holidays from those observed by observance?
Certain holidays are considered "statutory," meaning that if they fall on a day when an employee would often be at work, they are entitled to a paid day off. While some holidays, referred to as "observance" holidays, are observed, a day off from work is not guaranteed.
Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, April Fools' Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day are a few examples of observance days. These are not public holidays in New Zealand, but they are celebrated by the general population.
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On holidays, are stores open or closed?It varies. On some public holidays, stores are permitted to open and close, respectively. There are trading limitations on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and the morning of ANZAC Day. This rule does have a few exceptions. If they sell food, beverages, household goods, and personal items—things that consumers might find hard to resist buying—small grocery stores are welcome to open. As long as they are offering food, beverages, personal care products, home goods, gasoline, oil, and auto parts and accessories, service stations are permitted to open. Restaurants, cafes, bars, and takeout businesses are permitted to open, but only if they serve cooked or prepared food that is ready to eat. The majority of eateries and cafes will close on the public holidays of Christmas and Easter in spite of this regulation. During this time, pharmacies are free to run as usual without any limitations. |
Full List of Public Holidays In New Zealand in 2024
| Date | Name | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Monday | New Year's Day | National holiday |
| 2 Jan | Tuesday | Day after New Year's Day | National holiday |
| 22 Jan | Monday | Wellington Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 29 Jan | Monday | Northland Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 29 Jan | Monday | Auckland Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 29 Jan | Monday | Nelson Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 6 Feb | Tuesday | Waitangi Day | National holiday |
| 14 Feb | Wednesday | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 11 Mar | Monday | Taranaki Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 20 Mar | Wednesday | March Equinox | Season |
| 25 Mar | Monday | Otago Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 29 Mar | Friday | Good Friday | National holiday |
| 30 Mar | Saturday | Holy Saturday | Observance |
| 31 Mar | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| 1 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday | National holiday |
| 1 Apr | Monday | April Fools | Observance |
| 2 Apr | Tuesday | Southland Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 25 Apr | Thursday | ANZAC Day | National holiday |
| 12 May | Sunday | Mother's Day | Observance |
| 3 Jun | Monday | King's Birthday | National holiday |
| 21 Jun | Friday | June Solstice | Season |
| 28 Jun | Friday | Matariki | National holiday |
| 1 Sep | Sunday | Fathers' Day | Observance |
| 23 Sep | Monday | South Canterbury Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 23 Sep | Monday | September Equinox | Season |
| 25 Oct | Friday | Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 28 Oct | Monday | Labour Day | National holiday |
| 31 Oct | Thursday | Halloween | Observance |
| 4 Nov | Monday | Marlborough Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 5 Nov | Tuesday | Guy Fawkes Night | Observance |
| 15 Nov | Friday | Canterbury Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 2 Dec | Monday | Chatham Islands Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 2 Dec | Monday | Westland Anniversary Day | Local holiday |
| 21 Dec | Saturday | December Solstice | Season |
| 24 Dec | Tuesday | Christmas Eve | Observance |
| 25 Dec | Wednesday | Christmas Day | National holiday |
| 26 Dec | Thursday | Boxing Day | National holiday |
| 31 Dec | Tuesday | New Year's Eve | Observance |
How major public holidays are observed in New Zealand
Monday-focused
Anzac Day and Waitangi Day were "Mondayised" on January 1st, 2014, meaning that if they fell on a weekend, the Monday after became a day off from work. On the actual holiday date, these celebrations will still take place. Visit the federal employment website to learn more about how this impacts employers and workers, and don't miss their fantastic Mondayization Flowchart.
The first day of the new year and the day after it
The first and second of January are the dates for these two resolution-laden holidays; however, if one or both fall on a weekend, the holiday is actually commemorated on the next working weekday.
For instance, New Year's Day fell on a Sunday in 2012. The Day After New Year's Day holiday took over Monday, therefore the celebration was moved to Tuesday, January 3, as the original plan called for.
Days of Anniversaries
The majority of provincial regions have a set date, which occasionally falls on a weekend. Thankfully, everyone recognizes our need for a holiday, so if the anniversary falls on a weekend, it is graciously moved to a Monday or Friday so we may have a day of celebration indoors or outdoors!
Which day, though, is it shifted to? This can change and is occasionally decided upon. In order to avoid falling on or close to a major holiday like Easter, the anniversary holiday may even be rearranged.
Waitangi Day
Every year on February 6th, Waitangi Day is observed to honor the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Tiriti o Waitangi). In New Zealand, it's summertime as well, making it a perfect opportunity to celebrate at the beach with loved ones. Today is "Mondayised" Waitangi Day. If it falls on a weekend, you will get the following Monday off work as it will be commemorated on that day.
The arrival of Easter chocolate bunny craziness means at least two days off! Easter Monday and Good Friday. Bonus Easter Tuesday is a third day off for those of us in the teaching profession.
Tuesday of Easter
Is today actually a federal holiday? Not really, but if you work in education—which includes universities—or attend school, you will be well-versed in it. The Monday following Easter is off for them. It can be a little perplexing for some people to observe Otago Anniversary on this day rather than the Monday closest to March 23. For individuals who attend Otago University, it also serves as their anniversary day! Easter Tuesday is often used to honor the Southland Anniversary.
Daylight Saving Time
To allow us to enjoy a little bit more sun, Daylight Saving Time begins in the spring on the final Sunday in September. From 2:00 am to 3:30 am, clocks are moved forward; so, keep in mind the time of year and consider "looking forward to summer". On the first Sunday in April, Daylight Saving Time ends in the fall. The time changes from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m., so once more consider the season and mutter to yourself, "We're almost back to winter." "Spring forward and Fall (Autumn) back" is a more customary American way of remembering.
Conclusion
The public holidays in New Zealand should be known to you in advance so that you can make arrangements for the closing of banks as well as some stores, restaurants, cafes, and shops. Companies who operate on certain days could charge an additional 15% for their services. Don't use every one of those dates when visiting New Zealand.
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