From long, sun-drenched summer escapes to crisp alpine getaways, the year ahead is full of possibilities. The best adventures begin with a well-marked calendar, so we’ve put together a complete guide to New Zealand’s 2026 public holidays, long weekends, and school term breaks.
NZ public holidays 2026
New Year’s Day and the Day after New Year’s Day
Thursday, 1 January
Friday, 2 January
Waitangi Day
Friday, 6 February
Good Friday and Easter Monday
Friday, 3 April
Monday, 6 April
Anzac Day
Saturday, 25 April (observed, Monday 27 April)
King’s Birthday
Monday, 1 June
Matariki
Friday, 10 July
Labour Day
Monday, 26 October
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Friday 25 December
Saturday, 26 December (observed Monday, 28 December)
NZ school term dates in 2026
Term 1
Start date: Monday, 26 January
End date: Thursday, 2 April
Term 2
Start date: Monday, 20 April
End date: Friday, 3 July
Term 3
Start date: Monday, 20 July
End date: Friday, 25 September
Term 4
Start date: Monday, 12 October
End date: Friday, 18 December
Regional anniversary days in 2026
Auckland
Monday, 26 January
Canterbury (South)
Monday 28 September
Canterbury
Friday, 13 November
Chatham Islands
Monday, 30 November
Hawke’s Bay
Friday, 23 October
Marlborough
Monday, 2 November
Nelson
Monday, 2 February
Otago
Monday, 23 March
Southland
Tuesday, 7 April
Taranaki
Monday, 9 March
Wellington
Monday, 19 January
Westland
Monday, 30 November
Tips for planning
With a little planning, you can turn 2026 into a year of escapes, adventures, and well-deserved breaks.
Book early: Long weekends and school holidays are always in high demand, so it’s always advisable to secure accommodation well head of time. Explore Bachcare’s wide range of holiday homes in New Zealand to find the best spot for your next getaway.
Maximise your annual leave: Plan your annual leave days strategically and turn three-day weekends into week-long getaways. A little forward thinking can go a long way to ensure you have more time to relax and recharge.
Plan around school terms: For parents, long weekends are perfect for short road trips and local escapes, while school term breaks are key to planning longer holidays that suit the whole family.
