Next holiday: Christmas Day - Countdown - 25 December 2026 (57 days)
Next event: World Stroke Day - 29 October 2026 (0 days)
Calendar 2026 NZ — Free Printable PDF with Public Holidays
This calendar 2026 NZ shows every New Zealand public holiday, long weekend and regional anniversary day on one page. Download the free printable PDF, or switch to the Excel and Word versions above.
New Zealand Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday | Day | Days Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 December 2026 | Christmas Day - Countdown 2026 ★ | Friday | 57 days |
| 28 December 2026 | Boxing Day observed 2026 ★ | Monday | 60 days |
◉ Today ◎ Next ○ Past
How Many Public Holidays Does New Zealand Have in 2026?
New Zealand has 11 national public holidays in 2026. They are New Year’s Day, the Day after New Year’s Day, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, King’s Birthday, Matariki, Labour Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Public holidays in NZ are also called statutory holidays because the Holidays Act 2003 sets them in law. New Year’s Eve is widely celebrated but is not a public holiday.
Mondayisation and Transferred Holidays
Mondayisation moves a public holiday to the following Monday when it falls on a weekend. In 2026, ANZAC Day lands on Saturday 25 April, so the day off is Monday 27 April. Boxing Day lands on Saturday 26 December, so the day off is Monday 28 December. Because of these transfers, all 11 holidays give a weekday off this year.
2026 Calendar NZ: Holiday Highlights
New Year’s Day and the Day After
New Year’s Day falls on Thursday 1 January and the Day after New Year’s Day on Friday 2 January. Together with the weekend, they create a four-day break from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 January. Because it falls in the middle of the school summer holidays, this stretch suits a bach trip.
Waitangi Day
Waitangi Day falls on Friday 6 February 2026. It marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and has been a public holiday since 1974, according to NZHistory. The day gives a three-day weekend and includes official commemorations at Waitangi.
Good Friday and Easter Monday
Good Friday is Friday 3 April and Easter Monday is Monday 6 April, with Easter Sunday on 5 April. This is one of the longest breaks of the year, and it needs no annual leave at all. Most shops must close on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, so stock up on groceries early.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day is on 25 April and remembers the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landing at Gallipoli in 1915. Dawn services take place across the country. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday, so Monday 27 April is the observed day off. Shops can only trade after 1 pm on the day itself.
King’s Birthday
King’s Birthday is observed on the first Monday in June, which is Monday 1 June 2026. It forms a three-day weekend from Saturday 30 May. The date is fixed by rule rather than by the monarch’s actual birthday, which makes it easy to plan around each year.
Matariki
Matariki is the Māori New Year and marks the rise of the Matariki star cluster in midwinter. It became a public holiday in 2022. Its date changes every year, and in 2026 it falls on Friday 10 July. That creates a three-day weekend from 10 to 12 July.
Labour Day
Labour Day falls on the fourth Monday in October, which is Monday 26 October 2026. It recognises the campaign for the eight-hour working day. The long weekend from 24 to 26 October is the first three-day break after Matariki, so it suits a short spring getaway.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Christmas Day is Friday 25 December. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December, so the observed holiday is Monday 28 December. This gives a four-day break from 25 to 28 December. Christmas Day is also one of the days when shops must stay closed.
Long Weekends in 2026
Eight long weekends appear in the 2026 calendar NZ. The table shows how long each break lasts so you can book travel and accommodation early.
| Holiday | Break Dates | Days Off |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day and Day after | Thu 1 – Sun 4 January | 4 |
| Waitangi Day | Fri 6 – Sun 8 February | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 3 – Mon 6 April | 4 |
| ANZAC Day (observed) | Sat 25 – Mon 27 April | 3 |
| King’s Birthday | Sat 30 May – Mon 1 June | 3 |
| Matariki | Fri 10 – Sun 12 July | 3 |
| Labour Day | Sat 24 – Mon 26 October | 3 |
| Christmas and Boxing Day (observed) | Fri 25 – Mon 28 December | 4 |
The three four-day breaks come from holidays that sit next to each other or next to a weekend. Plan leave around Easter and the New Year period if you want the longest time away for the fewest leave days.
NZ Public Holidays 2026 Calendar: Regional Anniversary Days
Each region celebrates its own anniversary day on top of the 11 national holidays. Councils set these dates by local custom, and most fall on the Monday nearest the original anniversary. The table lists the observed dates for 2026.
| Region | Observed Date 2026 |
|---|---|
| Wellington | Monday 19 January |
| Auckland | Monday 26 January |
| Nelson | Monday 2 February |
| Taranaki | Monday 9 March |
| Southland | Tuesday 7 April (Easter Tuesday) |
| Hawke’s Bay | Friday 23 October |
| Marlborough | Monday 2 November |
| Canterbury (Show Day) | Friday 13 November |
Otago has no single day of local observance, so employers and employees rely on their agreement or custom. Auckland Anniversary Day 2026 is Monday 26 January, which is the Monday closest to 29 January. Check your local council if your area is not listed.
Working on a Public Holiday in NZ
Employees who work on a public holiday that would otherwise be a working day receive at least time and a half. They also receive an alternative holiday, sometimes called a day in lieu. Workers whose holiday falls on a day they would not normally work are not entitled to the extra day. Employment New Zealand publishes the current rules on its public holidays and anniversary dates page.
Free Printable Calendar 2026 NZ: How to Use It
The free printable calendar 2026 NZ works best when you choose the format that matches your routine. The PDF suits wall display and A4 or A3 printing. The Excel version lets you add shift patterns and project dates. The Word version suits family notes and school reminders.
Printing Tips
Print the PDF at 100 percent scale so the grid keeps its proportions. Use 120 to 200 gsm paper for a wall calendar, and choose A3 if you want space for notes. Matte paper reduces glare and takes pen ink more cleanly than gloss. Select landscape orientation when printing a full-year page. For a family wall planner, print each monthly page and pin the sheets in a row.
Daylight Saving Dates
Daylight saving ended on Sunday 5 April 2026 and began again on Sunday 27 September 2026. Mark both dates on the calendar so you remember the clock change before early morning flights or shift handovers.
Planning Around New Zealand’s Seasons
New Zealand’s seasons run opposite to the northern hemisphere. Summer covers December to February, which is peak season for camping, beaches and domestic travel, so accommodation books out early around Christmas and New Year. Winter covers June to August, and the Matariki weekend falls in the middle of ski season. Mark booking deadlines on your calendar at least two to three months ahead.
Combining Paper and Digital Planning
Keep the printed calendar for the full-year view and use your phone for reminders. Write public holidays and school breaks on the wall copy, then add appointments to your phone calendar. Colour coding helps: use one colour for public holidays, one for school events and one for work deadlines. This setup helps families, teams and small businesses stay on the same schedule.
Month-by-Month NZ Calendar 2026
Need more room for notes? Use the month links on the year calendar above to open each monthly page, from January 2026 to December 2026. Each page lists that month’s public holidays, events and moon phases, and offers its own printable download.
Looking Ahead: Calendar 2027 NZ
Planning for next year? The 2027 NZ calendar with public holidays lists every date for the year ahead. Easter 2027 falls earlier than in 2026, with Easter Sunday on 28 March, so check dates before booking autumn travel.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Calendar NZ
Q: How many public holidays are there in New Zealand in 2026?
A: There are 11 national public holidays in New Zealand in 2026. Regional anniversary days are extra and differ by area.
Q: When is Matariki in 2026?
A: Matariki is on Friday 10 July 2026. The date changes each year, so the holiday does not fall on the same day annually.
Q: Is ANZAC Day observed on a Monday in 2026?
A: Yes. ANZAC Day falls on Saturday 25 April, so the public holiday is observed on Monday 27 April 2026.
Q: When is Boxing Day observed in 2026?
A: Boxing Day is observed on Monday 28 December 2026. The actual date, 26 December, falls on a Saturday.
Q: Is New Year’s Eve a public holiday in NZ?
A: No. New Year’s Eve on 31 December is not a public holiday, although many people celebrate it.
Q: When is Auckland Anniversary Day 2026?
A: Auckland Anniversary Day is Monday 26 January 2026. It applies only to the Auckland region.
Q: Where can I download a free printable calendar 2026 NZ?
A: Use the PDF link above the holiday table. The year calendar also exports to PDF, Excel and Word.
Q: Do shops close on NZ public holidays?
A: Most shops must close on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, and until 1 pm on ANZAC Day. Other public holidays allow normal trading.
Plan the Rest of the Year
Explore all New Zealand calendars and public holidays on Calendarena.
Chokri Hamouda runs Calendarena.com. He makes simple, printable calendar templates. His goal is to help people organize their time better. He updates the site with monthly and yearly calendars for users worldwide. Chokri focuses on making calendars that are easy to read and use. He also researches holidays and date systems to keep everything accurate.