2025 New Zealand Calendar - Full List of National/Regional Holidays, Dates and Celebrations
 The Full List of New Zealand's Public Holidays in 2024 |
 Top 10 Largest and Beautiful Shopping Malls For Foreigner in New Zealand |
An Overview of New Zealand Holidays
New Zealand has holidays all through the year. There are 22 holidays every year that celebrate different cultural, national, and religious events. You can use this to your advantage and plan short trips on long weekends all year long.
National public holidays in New Zealand 2025
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | |
| Day after New Year’s Day | |
| Waitangi Day | |
| Good Friday | |
| Easter Monday | |
| Anzac Day | |
| King’s Birthday | |
| Matariki | |
| Labour Day | |
| Christmas Day | |
| Boxing Day |
2025 Public holidays and anniversary dates in New Zealand
An employee is entitled to a paid day off if a public holiday falls on a day they would otherwise be working.
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| Public holidays and anniversary dates in New Zealand 2025 |
Regional anniversary days in New Zealand 2025
Every part of New Zealand has an anniversary celebration set for a different time of year. See the website of your local council or get in touch with them if you are unsure which anniversary day your area observes.
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| Auckland | |
| Canterbury (South) | |
| Canterbury | |
| Chatham Islands | |
| Hawke’s Bay | |
| Marlborough | |
| Nelson | |
| Otago | |
| Southland | |
| Taranaki | |
| Wellington | |
| Westland |
National/Regional Public Holidays in New Zealand 2025: Date and Celebrations
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| New Zealand Calendar with Public Holidays in 2025 |
1 Jan Wed - New Year's Day
It's a holiday on New Year's Day. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.
New Zealand is one of the first places to celebrate the New Year, which starts on January 1. Everyone in the country has the day off on New Year's Day and the day after.
The fact that New Zealand is close to the International Date Line makes it one of the first places in the world to welcome the New Year. After New Year's Eve and the countdown to the New Year, many people take it easy on New Year's Day. Some people go to see family and friends, while others go to events like summer day fairs and horse racing carnivals on New Year's Day. During the New Year's Day holiday, a lot of people in New Zealand watch cricket.
2 Jan Thu - Day after New Year's Day
The day after New Year's is a holiday. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.
January 2 is the day after New Year's Day, so many people in New Zealand don't have to work. It is held at the same time as the January 1 public holiday for New Year's Day.
A lot of people use their two days off (January 1 and 2) to relax and unwind before going back to work. People also like to take their annual vacation around this time because New Zealand's school summer holidays are in January. There are people who like to stay home and people who like to go camping or to the beach.
20 Jan Mon - Wellington Anniversary Day
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| Wellington Anniversary Day 2025 in New Zealand |
Wellington Anniversary Day is on January 22, which is the Monday before.
On January 22, 1840, the first ship with settlers came to New Zealand. This holiday honors that event.
The Holidays Act of 1981 says that every community must celebrate a Provincial Anniversary Day to remember the day that the first colonists arrived in each colonial province and made it their home.
But the exact dates are not written into law.
To celebrate Wellington Anniversary Day, there are a lot of different kinds of public events and parties going on. Many of them are very different from each other. We can't help but talk about the Birdman Competition at Taranaki Street Wharf. People dressed as birds compete by "flying" off the wharf and into the harbor.
27 Jan Mon - Auckland Anniversary Day
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| Auckland Anniversary Day was held on 29 January |
Auckland Anniversary Day is on the Monday that is closest to January 29th.
Northland calls today "Northland Day" because it is their anniversary.
Interestingly, January 29 is not the day that Auckland was founded. It is the day that William Hobson, an explorer and the first governor of New Zealand, first saw North Island from the Bay of Islands.
When Hobson got to New Zealand in 1840, he quickly signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the Maori people. This made New Zealand a new British colony. Hobson founded Auckland on September 18, 1840, and made it the capital city of New Zealand. In the same year, there was a small regatta in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. There were only three races.
The 29th of January became Auckland Anniversary Day and the Auckland Regatta became an official event in 1850. In the beginning, Maori canoes, local fishing boats, and whaling boats all took part, which made things a lot more exciting. Over the years, sports like yacht, sailboat, and even seaplane races have been added.
Today, the regatta is the biggest event of its kind in a single day in the world. It is also the main event of Auckland Anniversary Day.
3 Feb Mon - Nelson Anniversary Day
Nelson Anniversary Day is on the Monday that is closest to February 1.
It's a holiday to remember when the first New Zealand Company boat arrived on February 1, 1842.
For each "region" Every year, New Zealanders are given a day off to celebrate their country's founding, which means the arrival of Europeans and the building of the first provincial settlements in the area. In 4 regions, Nelson Anniversary Day is a public holiday. This means that everyone has the day off and most businesses and schools are closed.
Based on where the old Province of Nelson used to be, the area around the city of Nelson is called the Region of Nelson. There were no longer any provinces in New Zealand after 1876, but the old province lines are now used as "regional boundaries."
The Monday before February 1 is Nelson Anniversary Day every year in the Nelson Region. In honor of the settlers who came from the New Zealand Company ship Fifeshire on February 1, 1842, this event is held every year.
The settlers had left London four and a half months before. It had been a long and hard trip. A lot of people died on the trip, but some babies were also born. It's interesting that the Fifeshire was quickly sunk when it hit a reef on its way to China from dropping off the settlers. Its first and only trip was to settle Nelson.
Many people will just stay home and relax on Nelson Anniversary Day, which is a very nice day off. But a lot of people go out and enjoy a lot of fun events, some of which are very
6 Feb Thu - Waitangi Day - National Holiday in New Zealand
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| Waitangi Day is held every 6 February to celebrate the signing of the Waitangi Treaty in 1840 at the home of James Busby at Waitangi |
There is a holiday in New Zealand called Waitangi Day. The Treaty of Waitangi, which is New Zealand's founding document, was signed on February 6, 1840. Every year on February 6, people celebrate this holiday.
There is a change to the Holiday Act that went into effect in January 2014. If Waitangi Day falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be a holiday.
Many stores, schools, and government buildings are closed.
Official celebrations for Waitangi Day take place at Waitangi, New Zealand. There are Māori cultural shows, speeches by Māori and Pakeha (European) leaders, and a naval salute. On Waitangi Day, people also have public conversations about things like multiculturalism and national identity.
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are the site of many events and activities. There are ceremonies, music, sports, and fun all day long. The Royal New Zealand Navy and other local cultural groups have always put on shows and parades for Waitangi Day.
10 Mar Mon - Taranaki Anniversary Day
New Zealand's Taranaki province celebrates Taranaki Anniversary Day as a public holiday.
On Taranaki Anniversary Day, people remember the first settlement in the Taranaki Region, which was in 1841 at New Plymouth. The area used to be called New Plymouth Province, but in 1859 it was changed to Taranaki Province.
Taranaki Anniversary Day is March 2, which is the second Monday. The date isn't the exact start of the holiday, but it is meant to put it further away from Easter on the holiday calendar.
The southwest corner of North Island is part of the Taranaki Region. It was first inhabited by Maori tribes, but other Maori tribes came and drove them out. When Europeans got there, the area wasn't really inhabited.
24 Mar Mon - Otago Anniversary Day
Otago Anniversary Day is a public holiday every year on March 23. It falls on a Monday. It is against the law in any part of the country not to celebrate regional founding day holidays. However, the exact dates and other details vary from place to place.
People in Otago have the day off on Otago Anniversary Day, which is a public holiday. Most schools and businesses are also closed.
The whole area in the southern third of South Island used to be Otago Province. Two ships sent by the Lay Association of the Free Church of Scotland brought settlers on March 23, 1848. The town of Otago was named after them, and in 1853, Otago Province was made.
New Zealand got rid of all of its provinces in 1876, but Otago Anniversary Day is still celebrated all over the region, not just in the town of Otago.
The holiday is based on the launch date of March 23, but to make things easier, Otago Anniversary Day is celebrated on the Monday that is closest to March 23.
On Otago Anniversary Day, there are a lot of events going on in the Otago Region, but they change from year to year. Dunedin is the main place where things happen. A lot of people also use this day off to connect with nature, like by riding their bikes along the rail trail through the beautiful wilderness area near Dunedin.
18 Apr Fri - Good Friday
There is a religious holiday called "Good Friday" in New Zealand. It's the Friday before Easter Sunday. On Good Friday, many Christians remember how Jesus Christ died on the cross.
On Good Friday, everyone is off. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.
In New Zealand, Easter Monday is the first day of a four-day weekend that starts on Good Friday. A lot of people take short trips or spend time with their families. There are special services at a lot of churches, and some may hold long prayer vigils. Good Friday is a fast day in some churches, especially Catholic churches. People only eat three small meals and often don't eat any meat at all. Some people eat fish instead of meat.
 Good Friday in the Bible: Definition, History, Meaning, Traditions and Facts |
21 Apr Mon - Easter Monday
In the Christian faith, Easter Monday comes the day after Easter Sunday.
This day is known as "Little Easter" in many places in Europe and South America. It's known as "Monday of the Angel" in the Catholic Church.
Monday, April 8, is a holiday. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.
New Zealand has a four-day weekend that ends on Easter Monday. Good Friday is part of the weekend. While some people relax at home, a lot of people come back from short trips out of town. There are a lot of Easter-themed activities that families do together, like egg hunts. A lot of people like to eat chocolate eggs. On Easter Monday, some churches have special services.
22 Apr Tue - Southland Anniversary Day
Southland Region is the most southern part of New Zealand. The Tuesday after Easter is Southland Anniversary Day, which is a public holiday and day off from work.
The date was picked to be close to April 1, 1861, which is when the Province of Southland officially split from the Province of Otago. So, it looks back to a "provincial birthday" instead of a date of founding or settlement.
For Southland's Anniversary Day, there are fairs, events that teach about history and culture, food stands, concerts, and a lot of other things going on in many of the towns in the region.
25 Apr Fri - Anzac Day - National Holiday in New Zealand
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| Anzac Day in New Zealand |
On April 25, Anzac Day is a public holiday in New Zealand. If New Zealand's Anzac Day falls on a weekend, it will be observed on the Monday after. Keep in mind that in Australia, the holiday doesn't change if it falls on a weekend.
On ANZAC Day, everyone in New Zealand gets a day off. Many stores, schools, and government buildings are closed.
Today is the anniversary of the first major battle that Australian and New Zealand forces fought in during the First World War.
The name Anzac comes from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. People who fought in those armies were called Anzacs, and they are still proud of that name today.
On ANZAC Day, a lot of people in New Zealand go to parades, dawn ceremonies, or other events to remember the soldiers. On ANZAC Day, people who have served their country wear their medals and march behind banners. The parade also has members of the defense force, cadets, and youth groups.
For those who fought and died in New Zealand's wars and conflicts in the past, wreaths are often laid. On ANZAC Day, some people travel to Gallipoli, Turkey, to take part in a service to remember the dead.
2 Jun Mon - King's Birthday
King's Birthday is a public holiday that is celebrated on the first Monday of June. This means that there is a long weekend in June, which everyone looks forward to.
King Charles III was born on November 14, 1948, but his birthday is celebrated on different dates in each country of the Commonwealth so that it doesn't conflict with their public holidays. The Commonwealth of Nations, which used to be called the British Commonwealth, has sixteen Commonwealth Realms. New Zealand is one of the sixteen largest.
As part of this public holiday, the King's Birthday Honours' List is made public. This is where the Sovereign names people to the Order of New Zealand, which includes Orders, Orders of Merit, Dames, Knights, Companions, Officers, and more. Most of the time, these appointments are given to people because of what they have done for the community or the country.
Additionally, this holiday is important because it marks the start of the ski season in New Zealand, a sport that the country is known for. People love the ski fields because they have beautiful terrain, scenery, snow trails, and resorts that people love.
20 Jun Fri - Matariki
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| Matariki in New Zealand |
New Zealand's government has a holiday for Matariki. "Moveable feast" rules will apply, says Dr. Rangiānehu Matamua, who was recently named chair of the Government's holiday advisory group. The holiday falls in either June or July.
In the 2020 general election campaign, one of the first things Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Labour promised was to make Matariki a new public holiday.
In the past, Maori iwi, or communities, would get together at night when the constellation was visible. They would use the time between harvests to celebrate and make wishes for a good future.
As soon as Matariki ended in April or May, it was time to store food for the winter. When it came back in June or July, it was thought to be a sign of how well the season would go. Clear, bright stars mean a good season, while hazy stars mean a cold, harsh winter. The luck of a certain thing that a star stands for, like the wind or food that grows in trees, can be predicted by how bright that thing is.
For some iwi, this time of year is marked by the appearance of Puanga, which is another name for Rigel. Some places also use the setting of Rehua, which is also called Antares, to mark the change of seasons.
21 Jun - June Solstice: Shortest and Longest Day of the Year
Every year, the solstices happen twice, once in June and once in December. The longest day is in June north of the equator and the shortest day is in June south of it.
To be in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun must be directly above the Tropic of Cancer on June 21. It gets as far north as this latitude during the year. It starts moving south again after the solstice.
7 Sep Sun - Fathers' Day
Sunday, June 17, is not a public holiday. It takes place on Sunday, September 1, 2024, and in New Zealand, most stores are open as usual on Sundays.
The first Sunday of September is Father's Day for many people in New Zealand. Today is a time to honor fathers and father figures, such as stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians, foster parents, and family friends.
 Father's Day: When, History, Meaning, How to Celebrate |
22 Sep Mon - South Canterbury Anniversary Day
On the fourth Monday of September, South Canterbury Anniversary Day is a public holiday. The first provinces of New Zealand were in place from 1853 to 1876, but they no longer exist. Still, the areas that used to be provinces are now considered "regions" and get a special holiday every year called "founding day."
This is the anniversary day for the southern part of the Canterbury Region. It is held every fourth Monday of September. This is the same day as Dominion Day, which is when the Dominion of New Zealand was officially formed in 1907. The exact date was September 26, but South Canterbury Anniversary Day is close to that date. It's on a Monday so that the South Canterbury Anniversary Weekend lasts for three days.
In mid-December, people in the northern and central parts of Canterbury Region celebrate Christchurch Show Day. People in the southern parts, on the other hand, have their own holiday.
Timaru, which is the largest city in South Canterbury, is where most of the celebrations on Anniversary Day take place. But a lot of people also go to the country to hike, ride bikes, mountain bikes, play golf, or just enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
23 Sep - September Equinox
Every year, there are two equinoxes, one in September and one in March. The Sun moves from north to south across the equator in September.
The September equinox is when the Sun moves from north to south across the celestial equator, which is a made-up line in the sky above Earth's equator. Most years, this takes place on September 22, 23, or 24.
24 Oct Fri - Hawkes' Bay Anniversary Day
Hawkes' Bay and the area around it on the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island used to be part of Hawkes' Bay Province, but that system was done away with in 1876. In any case, Hawkes' Bay Anniversary Day is a public holiday every year in the area that used to be a province.
The Friday before Labor Day is Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day.
Captain Cook named the bay Hawke's Bay in honor of Edward Hawke, who was First Lord of the Admiralty.
Friday is the last day of the Royal Agricultural Show, so this day is also called "Show Day."
27 Oct Mon - Labour Day
On Labour Day, people remember the eight-hour work day that was started by the labor movement more than one hundred years ago. It's held on the fourth Monday of October.
New Zealand has a holiday on Labor Day. Many stores, schools, and government buildings are closed.
Labour Day is a public holiday in New Zealand, so lots of people who work there take the day off to unwind and have fun. Some people take advantage of the long weekend by going on short trips out of town since it's a Monday. On or around Labour Day, there are also protest marches and street parades to show how important workers' rights are.
3 Nov Mon - Marlborough Anniversary Day
New Zealand's Marlborough province celebrates Marlborough Anniversary Day as a public holiday.
Every year, the holiday is held on the Monday after Labor Day.
The Holidays Act of 1981 says that every community must celebrate a Provincial Anniversary Day to remember the day that the first colonists arrived in each colonial province and made it their home.
But the exact dates are not written into law.
As they were before they were thrown out in 1876, the areas covered are based on provincial districts. Southland, the Chatham Islands, South Canterbury, and Northland are also included.
The actual days of observance can be different, even within the same province. This is because of local customs, practicalities, or the closeness of other holidays or seasonal events.
This might not be the same as the official day of observance, and it might be weeks before the official day.
14 Nov Fri - Canterbury Anniversary Day
Canterbury Anniversary Day is a public holiday in Canterbury, where it is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
1 Dec Mon - Chatham Islands Anniversary Day
Chatham Islands Anniversary Day is a public holiday in Chatham Islands, where it is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
1 Dec Mon - Westland Anniversary Day
Westland Anniversary Day is a public holiday in West Coast, where it is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
25 Dec Thu - Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated all over New Zealand on December 25. It is one of the most popular holidays in the country.
Christmas in New Zealand comes from the same places as Christmas everywhere else. It is a celebration of the day that Jesus Christ was born, which was around the year 4 AD. According to the Christian Bible, Jesus was born in a stable near Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod. Kings from the east came to see the baby after following a star.
New Zealand is the first major country in the world to see the sun rise on Christmas Day. It also has a longer Christmas Day than almost anywhere else in the world, with parts of the South Island being light from 5am to 10pm.
 Why is Christmas Day on the 25th December? |
26 Dec Fri - Boxing Day
The government of New Zealand declares December 26 as a public holiday, so all schools, government offices, and many private businesses are closed. Also, New Year's Day falls in the middle of New Zealand's school summer break.
Boxing Day is always the day after Christmas. These days, it's seen as an extension of Christmas celebrations and a time for sales and big sporting events.
Christmas Day is a time for many people to relax. They might go to the beach, hang out with family and friends, or just take it easy. Now is the time to relax and enjoy the summer break before going back to work. Between Christmas and New Year's, a lot of people take time off. It's also the school break at this time of the year, so some families take trips abroad.
31 Dec - New Year’s Eve
On December 31, the Gregorian calendar marks the end of the year. New Year's Eve is one of the biggest celebrations in the world because it comes before the New Year. No matter where you are, count down to 2019.
There is no public holiday on New Year's Eve. Businesses are open at regular times.
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