Public holidays and anniversary dates

The following dates are compiled in good faith from information provided. We can’t guarantee accuracy. 

Public holiday dates

The observed date is when employees get the holiday. See the notes below for more about actual versus observed dates.

2023

More dates

Previous years – public holidays and anniversaries

School holiday dates – Ministry of Education (external link)

Public holidays – timeanddate.com (external link)

Notes

Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2 January holiday: These public holidays are observed on the actual day when they fall on a weekday. When they fall on a Saturday/Sunday:

• If the employee would normally have worked on the Saturday/Sunday, the public holiday is observed on the Saturday/Sunday.
• If the employee would not normally have worked on the Saturday/Sunday, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday (or in some cases Tuesday).

Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day: The public holidays for ANZAC Day and Waitangi Day are “mondayised” (moved to the following Monday) if they fall on a Saturday/Sunday and the employee would not normally have worked on that Saturday/Sunday.

Easter: Easter dates are confirmed by the Catholic Church.

Public holidays falling on a weekend

Anniversary dates

The observed date is when a public holiday is celebrated, which may or may not be the actual anniversary date. See the notes below for more about actual versus observed dates.

2023

Notes

Provincial anniversary days are generally observed on the Monday nearest to the actual day. However, local custom and historical precedence can lead to observance on other days. Exceptions are listed below (subject to change over time). 

• Taranaki Anniversary: Moves to 2nd Monday in March to avoid Easter.
• Hawke's Bay Anniversary: Moves to Friday before Labour Day.
• Marlborough Anniversary: Observed 1st Monday after Labour Day.
• Canterbury Anniversary: Northern and Central Canterbury areas observe Christchurch Show Day. The definition for the Canterbury Anniversary Day celebration as decided by Christchurch City is the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November each year. South Canterbury observes Dominion Day, the 4th Monday in September.
• Westland Anniversary: Varies throughout Westland, but Greymouth observes the official day.
• Otago Anniversary: As there is no easily determined single day of local observance for Otago, the employee and employer should rely on either their employment agreement or their own custom and practice. Where there is no clear custom and practice, they should try and agree on how they will observe Anniversary Day. 
• Southland Anniversary: Normally observed on Easter Tuesday.

Setting of public holidays

The Holidays Act 2003 lists the holidays, but does not generally set dates for them.

Some holidays are set by legislation (e.g. Waitangi Day Act 1976, ANZAC Day Act 1966, Sovereigns Birthday Observance Act 1952). Others are religious holidays (Easter and Christmas).

Provincial Anniversary Days are observed locally by custom and practice, and are generally prescribed by regional or city councils. These provinces relate to the former provinces of 19th century New Zealand and are not determined by present-day districts or regions.