New Zealand’s 2025 public holiday calendar balances summer breaks, autumn long weekends, and winter celebrations — here’s how to plan for all of them. With 11 national public holidays, including the relatively new Matariki and the ever-popular King’s Birthday, the year offers plenty of long weekends.

4 related posts

National public holidays in 2025: 11 ·
Next public holiday (2025): New Year’s Day – January 1 ·
Most recent holiday added: Matariki (2022) ·
Longest weekend in 2025: Easter (April 18–21) ·
Regional anniversary days: 17 across NZ

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of public holidays when including regional days (varies by location)
  • Whether a specific future Monday is a public holiday (depends on date and regional rules)
  • Whether Matariki will shift to a date other than 20 June in future years (depends on the Maramataka lunar calendar)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Here is a quick reference table for the 2025 public holiday facts.

Key facts about 2025 NZ public holidays
Metric Value
Number of national public holidays 11
Next public holiday (2025) New Year’s Day – January 1
Most recent holiday added Matariki (2022)
Longest weekend in 2025 Easter (April 18–21, 4 days)
Regional anniversary days 17 across New Zealand

What are the 11 public holidays in New Zealand?

2025 dates for national public holidays

The New Zealand Government (official holiday portal) publishes the authoritative list. Here are the 11 national public holidays for 2025:

  • New Year’s Day – Wednesday, 1 January
  • Day after New Year’s Day – Thursday, 2 January
  • Waitangi Day – Thursday, 6 February
  • Good Friday – Friday, 18 April
  • Easter Monday – Monday, 21 April
  • Anzac Day – Friday, 25 April
  • King’s Birthday – Monday, 2 June
  • Matariki – Friday, 20 June
  • Labour Day – Monday, 27 October
  • Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December
  • Boxing Day – Friday, 26 December

Dates confirmed by EQ Consultants HR advisory firm and Science Learning Hub education resource for Matariki.

Regional anniversary days overview

In addition to the 11 national holidays, each region observes its own anniversary day. EQ Consultants HR advisory firm lists dates for 2025, including:

  • Wellington Anniversary – Monday, 20 January
  • Auckland Anniversary – Monday, 27 January
  • Nelson Anniversary – Monday, 3 February
  • Taranaki Anniversary – Monday, 10 March
  • Otago Anniversary – Monday, 24 March
  • And many more (17 total)

The pattern: Regional days are not counted in the national 11, but they create extra long weekends for residents of those areas.

How to count the 11 holidays

New Zealand law sets 11 national public holidays. If Waitangi Day (6 February) or Anzac Day (25 April) falls on a weekend, they are “Mondayised” – the holiday moves to the following Monday. In 2025, both fall on weekdays, so no Mondayisation applies.

Why this matters

For employers, the 11 holidays are fixed. For workers, the real number of days off can be higher when regional anniversaries are included. Anyone in Auckland or Wellington gets at least 12 paid days off.

Bottom line: The implication: Understanding the rule of 11 helps workers spot which days are guaranteed off nationwide versus location-specific bonuses.

Is King’s birthday a public holiday in New Zealand?

2025 date for King’s Birthday

Yes, King’s Birthday is a public holiday in New Zealand. In 2025 it falls on Monday, 2 June, as confirmed by EQ Consultants HR advisory firm.

Why King Charles has two birthdays

King Charles III was born on 14 November 1948, but New Zealand observes the Sovereign’s Birthday on the first Monday of June. This tradition dates back to George VI, whose actual birthday was in December. The June date ensures better weather for parades and public celebrations. The Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand national reference notes that the dual-birthday custom is also used in Australia and the United Kingdom.

History of the Sovereign’s Birthday in NZ

New Zealand first celebrated the Queen’s Birthday in 1952, and the tradition continued with King Charles III. The June date is now firmly embedded in the calendar, giving workers a mid-year long weekend.

The catch

The King’s actual birthday in November is not a holiday. Kiwis celebrate the official June date instead, which means a late-autumn break rather than a spring one.

What is the next long weekend in New Zealand?

Upcoming long weekends in 2025

Planning a getaway? Here are the long weekends in 2025 (where the holiday creates a three-day break):

  • Auckland Anniversary – Monday, 27 January (Auckland only)
  • Easter – Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April (4 days)
  • Anzac Day – Friday, 25 April (long weekend if you take Monday off)
  • King’s Birthday – Monday, 2 June
  • Matariki – Friday, 20 June (long weekend if you take Monday off)
  • Labour Day – Monday, 27 October

Regional anniversary days also create long weekends for specific areas. For example, Wellington Anniversary (20 January) gives Wellingtonians a Monday off.

How to maximize annual leave for extended breaks

By taking a few days of annual leave around public holidays, you can stretch a long weekend into a week. For instance, taking four days off after Easter Monday gives you nine consecutive days off. The 100% Pure New Zealand tourism site suggests planning trips around these clusters.

Regional anniversary long weekends

If you live in a region with an anniversary day, you gain an extra long weekend. The 17 regional days are spread throughout the year, so at least one region has a long weekend every month from January to March.

Bottom line: Easter gives workers the longest break (4 days), but with strategic annual leave, you can turn June (King’s Birthday + Matariki) into a two-week holiday. For workers in Auckland, the year starts with a long weekend on 27 January.

Who has more public holidays, New Zealand or Australia?

Number of national public holidays in each country

New Zealand has 11 national public holidays, as listed by the New Zealand Government official holiday portal. Australia’s system is more complex: it has 7 national public holidays (New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day) plus additional state-based holidays that vary by territory. The total number of public holidays in Australia can range from 7 to 13 depending on where you live.

Comparison of holiday dates and types

Both countries celebrate Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. New Zealand includes Waitangi Day, King’s Birthday, Matariki, and Labour Day as national holidays. Australia has Australia Day, Labour Day (state-specific), and the Queen’s Birthday (state-specific).

Here is a comparison of the public holiday calendars for New Zealand and Australia.

Comparison of public holidays: New Zealand vs Australia (2025)
Holiday New Zealand (National) Australia (National)
New Year’s Day Yes Yes
National Day Waitangi Day (Feb 6) Australia Day (Jan 26)
Good Friday Yes Yes
Easter Monday Yes Yes
Anzac Day Yes Yes
Sovereign’s Birthday King’s Birthday (June) King’s Birthday (state-specific)
Matariki Yes (June) No
Labour Day Yes (October) State-specific
Christmas Day Yes Yes
Boxing Day Yes Yes

Which country offers more total days off

New Zealand’s 11 national holidays are consistent nationwide. Australia’s total days off can be higher in some states (e.g., Victoria has 13 public holidays in 2025), but the national minimum is 7. For a worker in Auckland, the 11 national holidays plus one regional anniversary give 12 days. In Sydney, the total is 10 (7 national + 3 state).

The trade-off: New Zealand has a uniform, predictable calendar. Australia gives more days off in some states but less in others. For consistency, New Zealand wins.

Bottom line: The pattern: New Zealand offers a uniform 11-day minimum, while Australia trades predictability for higher potential totals in certain states.

What is the biggest holiday in New Zealand?

Most celebrated holidays: Christmas and New Year

Christmas and New Year are the most widely observed holidays across New Zealand. The 25 December to 2 January period is the peak summer holiday season, with many businesses closing entirely. According to 100% Pure New Zealand tourism site, this is when domestic travel peaks.

Cultural significance of Waitangi Day and Anzac Day

Waitangi Day (6 February) marks the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. Anzac Day (25 April) commemorates the Gallipoli landings and is a day of remembrance for all New Zealanders. The Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand national reference describes Anzac Day as “the most solemn of public holidays.”

Matariki as a growing celebration

Matariki, the Māori New Year, became a public holiday in 2022. The 2025 date is Friday, 20 June, as calculated by the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). The National Library of New Zealand heritage institution notes that Matariki is gaining prominence as a celebration of Māori culture and astronomy.

Bottom line: Christmas and New Year remain the biggest holidays in terms of public observance, but Anzac Day holds the deepest emotional resonance. Matariki is the fastest-growing holiday, reflecting New Zealand’s bicultural identity.

Timeline: evolution of NZ public holidays

  • 2022 – Matariki becomes a public holiday for the first time (National Library of New Zealand)
  • 2023 – King Charles III’s Birthday officially observed in June
  • 2025 – Current year: 11 national holidays, 17 regional days
  • 2026 – Future public holidays calendar (preview: similar pattern, with Matariki date shifting)

Confirmed facts & what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 2025 dates for all national public holidays from government sources (New Zealand Government)
  • King’s Birthday is a public holiday in NZ (Monday, 2 June)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of public holidays when including regional days (varies by location)
  • Whether a specific Monday in the future is a public holiday (depends on date and regional rules)
  • Whether Matariki will shift to a date other than 20 June in future years (depends on the Maramataka lunar calendar)

Expert perspectives on NZ public holidays

“The official list of public holidays and anniversary dates is maintained by the Department of Internal Affairs and updated annually.”

— New Zealand Government official holiday portal

“The King’s Birthday public holiday has been observed in New Zealand since the reign of George VI, originally to avoid the cold December weather.”

— Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand national reference

“Regional anniversary days give each province its own celebration, reflecting the diverse history of New Zealand’s settlement.”

— 100% Pure New Zealand tourism site

New Zealand’s public holiday calendar is more than a list of days off — it’s a reflection of the country’s identity. From the bicultural significance of Waitangi Day and Matariki to the royal tradition of the King’s Birthday, each holiday tells a story. For employers, the 11 national holidays are fixed; for workers, the real opportunity lies in combining them with annual leave. For anyone planning 2025, the message is clear: mark the dates, book early, and enjoy the rhythm of a calendar that balances summer breaks, autumn long weekends, and winter celebrations.

Additional sources

anzsog.edu.au, columban.org.nz, nzcalendar.nz, en.wikipedia.org, nzvenues.co.nz, matariki.co.nz, timeanddate.com, chbdc.govt.nz

The 2025 NZ public holidays guide offers a complete overview of all 2025 public holidays in New Zealand.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Waitangi Day a public holiday in 2025?

Yes, Waitangi Day (6 February) is a public holiday in 2025. It falls on a Thursday.

When is Matariki in 2025?

Matariki falls on Friday, 20 June 2025, as confirmed by the Science Learning Hub education resource.

How many public holidays does New Zealand have?

New Zealand has 11 national public holidays. Additional regional anniversary days are not counted in this number.

Are regional anniversary days public holidays?

Yes, they are public holidays in the specific region. They are not counted among the 11 national holidays, but they are legally recognized as public holidays in that area.

Do I get paid extra for working on a public holiday?

Under New Zealand employment law, employees who work on a public holiday are entitled to time-and-a-half pay and an alternative holiday (day off). The New Zealand Government official holiday portal provides full details.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

If Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a weekend, the holiday is “Mondayised” – it moves to the following Monday. Other holidays like Christmas Day are also Mondayised if they fall on a weekend.

Is Good Friday a public holiday in New Zealand?

Yes, Good Friday is a public holiday in New Zealand. In 2025 it falls on Friday, 18 April.

Related reading:
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