New Zealand Public Holidays 2025
New Zealand has 11 public holidays and 1 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 2 Jan | Thu | Day after New Year's Day | public |
| 6 Feb | Thu | Waitangi Day | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | observance |
| 21 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | public |
| 25 Apr | Fri | ANZAC Day | public |
| 2 Jun | Mon | King's Birthday | public |
| 20 Jun | Fri | Matariki | public |
| 27 Oct | Mon | Labour Day | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
| 26 Dec | Fri | Boxing Day | public |
About New Zealand's Holidays
New Zealand has a mix of national, public and cultural holidays that mark history, seasons and faith. Public holidays include days for remembrance, national founding and regular long weekends that give people time off work and school.
Religious holidays from Christianity like Christmas and Easter are widely observed. The country also celebrates the Maori calendar with Matariki, the Maori new year, which highlights culture, community and the changing seasons.
Other public holidays honor labour, the monarch and ANZAC remembrance for those who served in wars. Many events bring families together, include parades or ceremonies, and vary slightly by region with some local holidays for towns or regions.
Holiday Traditions
Holidays in New Zealand bring family and friends together with warm, relaxed gatherings. People often meet at home or at parks and beaches. Children play games while adults catch up. The mood is friendly and welcoming, mixing fun and rest.
Food is important and varies by season. Barbecues and fresh seafood are common in summer. Roast meals and baking happen in cooler months. Sharing kai, or food, shows care and hospitality. Many meals blend Maori and Pacific flavours with European dishes.
Public celebrations include parades, concerts, and community events. Local traditions, singing, and performances honour culture and history. These events are colourful and inclusive, encouraging people of all backgrounds to join the celebration.
Travel Tips
New Zealand is very busy over the holiday season, especially in December and January. Many shops and some services close on public holidays or have shorter hours, so plan meals and supplies in advance. Supermarkets may open limited hours.
Public transport can run fewer services on holidays, and ferries and intercity buses fill up fast. Airports get crowded, so book flights, trains, and ferries early. Roads around popular beaches, parks, and towns get heavy traffic on weekends and holidays, so allow extra travel time.
Useful tips: reserve accommodation and rental cars well ahead, check business hours before you go, carry a payment card and some cash, and pack layers for changeable weather. Keep copies of bookings and arrive early for planned activities.