Public and School Holidays
| |
|
Public Holiday
|
Date
|
|
New Year's Day
|
January 1
|
|
Day after New Year's
|
January 2
|
|
Waitangi Day
|
February 6
|
|
Good Friday
|
Friday before Easter
|
|
Easter Monday
|
Monday after Easter
|
|
ANZAC Day
|
April 25
|
|
Queen's Birthday
|
1st Monday in June
|
|
Labour Day
|
4th Monday in October
|
|
Christmas Day
|
December 25
|
|
Boxing Day
|
December 26
|
|
| |
Public Holidays Observed in
New Zealand
|
Public Holidays
Before planning a trip to New Zealand, it is helpful to know the dates of public
and school holidays. During these times, attractions, tours and accommodation
can be busier, and the rates can be higher. Also, many businesses and all banks
are closed on public holidays. On Christmas Day and Good Friday, all businesses
are closed except for a few gas stations and convenience stores.
January 2 is only regarded as a holiday when New Year's Day falls on a Monday to Thursday.
Waitangi Day, observed on February 6, commemorates the signing of the Waitangi
Treaty, which was a treaty signed on the same day in 1840 between the British
Government and Maori chiefs. Meant to signify a friendship agreement between
the colonisers and the conquered, the treaty was at times interpreted to the
disadvantage of the Maori. While the treaty is largely controversial, it has
been revisited in recent years in conjunction with a revived recognition of
Maori people and culture. Today, many consider Waitangi Day to represent New
Zealand's national day.
| |
|
Region
|
Date of Anniversary
|
|
Auckland
|
January 29
|
|
Hawkes' Bay
|
November 1
|
|
Northland
|
January 29
|
|
Taranaki
|
March 31
|
|
Wellington
|
January 22
|
|
Canterbury North
|
December 16
|
|
Canterbury South
|
September 25
|
|
Marlborough
|
November 1
|
|
Nelson
|
February 1
|
|
Otago
|
March 23
|
|
Southland
|
January 17
|
|
Westland
|
December 1
|
|
Chatham Islands
|
November 30
|
|
| |
Dates of Regional Anniversaries
in New Zealand
|
On April 25 each year, New Zealanders observe ANZAC day, which is an acronym for Australian and New
Zealand Army Corps. The name was established in 1914 to represent the
grouping of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force
that were then stationed in Egypt. On April 25, 1915, the ANZACs began their operational debut at Gallipoli, off the Aegean Sea in Turkey, where hundreds of ANZAC soldiers were killed or mortally wounded.
Regional Holidays
While provinces in New Zealand were abolished in the late 1800s, provincial
anniversaries are still acknowledged by a public holiday celebrated in each
region as illustrated in the chart. While the official dates are listed, the
actual public holiday will fall on the Monday nearest the anniversary.
School Holidays
| |
| Term |
Start Date |
End Date |
|
First
|
1st or 2nd Friday in April
|
4th Monday of April or the first Monday in May
|
|
Second
|
1st Friday in July
|
3rd or 4th Monday in July
|
|
Third
|
2nd or 3rd Friday in September
|
1st Monday in October
|
|
Fourth
|
1st Friday or the 2nd Tuesday in December
|
Last Monday or Tuesday in January
|
|
| |
Dates of School Holidays in
New Zealand
|
The most popular times in New Zealand for family holidays are during school
breaks. School terms run all year in New Zealand and are divided into four terms.
There are several days off between each term. The dates in which these school
holidays fall often indicate high season rates at many attractions and hotels.
While the dates change from year to year because of calendar changes, the times
of school holidays generally are as indicated in the chart. Of all the school
terms, the longest and busiest holiday occurs after the fourth term.
|
