The dates below are the observed dates published by Employment New Zealand. When a holiday falls on a weekend it is often moved to the following Monday ("Mondayised").
2026
- New Year's Day — Thursday 1 January; Day after New Year's Day — Friday 2 January
- Waitangi Day — Friday 6 February
- Good Friday — 3 April; Easter Monday — 6 April
- Anzac Day — Saturday 25 April (Monday 27 April for most employees)
- King's Birthday — Monday 1 June
- Matariki — Friday 10 July
- Labour Day — Monday 26 October
- Christmas Day — Friday 25 December; Boxing Day — Saturday 26 December (Monday 28 December for most employees)
2027
- New Year's Day — Friday 1 January; Day after — Saturday 2 January (Monday 4 January)
- Waitangi Day — Saturday 6 February (Monday 8 February)
- Good Friday — 26 March; Easter Monday — 29 March
- Anzac Day — Sunday 25 April (Monday 26 April)
- King's Birthday — Monday 7 June
- Matariki — Friday 25 June
- Labour Day — Monday 25 October
- Christmas Day — Saturday 25 December (Monday 27 December); Boxing Day — Sunday 26 December (Tuesday 28 December)
Employment New Zealand's 2027 table prints Anzac Day as "Saturday 25 April". 25 April 2027 is a Sunday; the observed Monday, 26 April, is unaffected.
Regional anniversary days
Each region also has its own anniversary day, usually on the Monday nearest the historical date. Examples:
- Wellington — Monday 19 January 2026 / Monday 25 January 2027
- Auckland — Monday 26 January 2026 / Monday 1 February 2027
- Otago — Monday 23 March 2026 / Monday 22 March 2027
- Canterbury — Friday 13 November 2026 / Friday 12 November 2027 (Christchurch Show Day)
Employment New Zealand notes that its regional list may contain errors and that the local council is the most reliable source for a given area.
When almost all shops must close
- Christmas Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday (not a public holiday, but restricted trading — some councils allow local Easter Sunday trading)
- Anzac Day until 1 pm
Some shops may open on these days, such as those selling food and drink or meals ready to eat, and certain tourist areas like Queenstown and Taupō have exemptions.
Source: Employment New Zealand — Public holidays and anniversary dates
Source: Employment New Zealand — Restricted trading days for shops
Common questions
When is Matariki?
Friday 10 July 2026 and Friday 25 June 2027.
Are shops open on Christmas Day in New Zealand?
Almost all shops must close on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day morning. Some exceptions exist, for example for food and drink and in some tourist areas.
More on the NZeTA
Length of stay
Up to three months per visit for most travellers, and up to 6 months on a UK passport. The border officer decides on arrival.
Money, cards and tipping
New Zealand uses the NZ dollar. Prices include 15% GST or must say they don't, tipping is not expected, and cash of NZD $10,000 or more must be declared.
Driving in New Zealand
Drive on the left and carry your licence, plus an approved translation or IDP if it is not in English. Drink-drive limits and the November 2026 change.
Emergency numbers and safety
Call 111 for police, fire or ambulance, 105 for police non-emergencies. What to do in an earthquake or tsunami, and before a hike.
Healthcare and ACC
ACC can cover visitors' accident injuries, but not illness, and most visitors pay for care. Reciprocal agreements: UK and Australia only.
Smoking, vaping and alcohol
18 to buy alcohol, tobacco or vapes, and a passport is the ID visitors can use. No smoking or vaping indoors in bars, and local liquor bans.