Public holidays in New Zealand

Plan your travel around public holidays to quickly turn a three-day weekend into a longer adventure.

New Zealand observes public holidays across the year. With a total of 22 holidays consisting of a variety of cultural, national and religious observances, you can take advantage and plan short breaks during long weekends all year round.

Take note of these dates, as you may need to book accommodation or activities to make the most of your much awaited holiday break. 

On this page: 

2022 Public holiday dates 

2023 Public holiday dates 

2022 Regional anniversary dates 

2023 Regional anniversary dates 

National public holidays

These holidays are recognized nationwide and may or may not fall under the same dates every year. Should some of these dates fall on a Sunday, then the following Monday will be considered the holiday. 

National public holidays 2022

  • New Year’s Day: Saturday 1 January or Monday 3 January 
  • Day after New Year’s Day: Sunday 2 January or Tuesday 4 January 
  • Waitangi Day: Sunday 6 February or Monday 7 February 
  • Good Friday: Friday 15 April 
  • Easter Monday: Monday 18 April 
  • Anzac Day: Monday 25 April 
  • Queen’s Birthday: Monday 6 June 
  • Matariki Day: Friday 24 June 
  • Labour Day: Monday 24 October 
  • Christmas Day: Sunday 25 December or Tuesday 27 December 
  • Boxing Day: Monday 26 December 

National public holidays 2023

  • New Year’s Day: Sunday 1 January or Tuesday 3 January
  • Day after New Year’s Day: Monday 2 January
  • Waitangi Day:  Monday 6 February
  • Good Friday: Friday 7 April
  • Easter Monday: Monday 10 April
  • Anzac Day: Tuesday 25 April
  • King's Birthday: Monday 5 June
  • Matariki: Friday 14 July
  • Labour Day:  Monday 23 October
  • Christmas Day: Monday 25 December
  • Boxing Day: Tuesday 26 December

Matariki Day

Ngā Mata o te Ariki, more commonly known as Matariki -  is a cluster of stars that rises in mid winter, traditionally marking the start of the Māori New Year. The Matariki Festival is unique to New Zealand and will be observed as a public holiday on the 14th of June 2023. 

Regional Anniversary Holidays

Regional or provincial anniversary days are normally observed on a Monday nearest to the actual day. This means they are always a great opportunity for a long weekend away.  

These holidays are only celebrated within each province, and not nationwide. 

Regional anniversary dates 2022 

  • Auckland: Monday 31 January 
  • Canterbury (South): Monday 26 September 
  • Canterbury: Friday 11 November 
  • Chatham Islands: Monday 28 November 
  • Hawke’s Bay: Friday 21 October 
  • Marlborough: Monday 31 October 
  • Nelson: Monday 31 January 
  • Otago: Monday 21 March 
  • Southland: Tuesday 19 April 
  • Taranaki: Monday 14 March 
  • Wellington: Monday 24 January 
  • Westland: Monday 28 November 

Regional anniversary dates 2023

  • Auckland: Monday 30 January
  • Canterbury (South): Monday 25 September
  • Canterbury: Friday 17 November
  • Chatham Islands: Monday 27 November
  • Hawke’s Bay: Friday 20 October
  • Marlborough: Monday 30 October
  • Nelson: Monday 30 January
  • Otago: Monday 20 March
  • Southland: Tuesday 11 April
  • Taranaki: Monday 13 March
  • Wellington: Monday 23 January
  • Westland: Monday 4 December

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