New Zealand has eleven public holidays plus a regional anniversary day for each province. Matariki, the Māori new year, joined the list in 2022 and moves each year with the star cluster's rising.

How people take the days

Mondayisation means holidays falling on a weekend shift to the following working day for those who don't normally work weekends. The Christmas to late January stretch is the main shutdown.

If you're visiting

Trading is restricted on three and a half days a year — Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Anzac morning — when most shops must legally close. Everything else trades with surcharges.

If you live here

Working a public holiday earns time and a half plus an alternative day off if it was a normal working day for you. Annual leave is four weeks statutory.

Nearby countries

Neighbours of New Zealand — see their holidays, or compare the two calendars side by side.

What these days actually mean

Observance, business closures and transport impact for the next few dates.

Marlborough Anniversary Day

2 Nov 2026

Regional

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work. It applies only in certain regions rather than nationwide.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

Canterbury Anniversary Day

13 Nov 2026

Regional

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work. It applies only in certain regions rather than nationwide.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

Chatham Islands Anniversary Day

30 Nov 2026

Regional

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work. It applies only in certain regions rather than nationwide.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

Westland Anniversary Day

30 Nov 2026

Regional

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work. It applies only in certain regions rather than nationwide.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.