Public Holidays 2025 New Zealand: Complete List and Dates

Planning next year’s holidays? New Zealand’s 2025 public holiday calendar weaves together fixed national days, regional traditions, and the relatively new Matariki celebration. With 12 nationwide public holidays and 17 regional anniversary days, the mix reflects the country’s evolving identity, from colonial anniversaries to the Māori lunar calendar. Whether you’re a worker, employer, or traveller, knowing the exact dates helps you make the most of the year ahead.

National public holidays in 2025 12 ·
First public holiday of 2025 1 January 2025 ·
Date of Waitangi Day 2025 6 February 2025 ·
Date of Matariki 2025 20 June 2025 ·
Date of Labour Day 2025 27 October 2025

The 12 national holidays span fixed calendar dates, weekday‑based observances, and the lunar‑determined Matariki, creating a rhythm that blends British colonial heritage (Christmas, New Year) with uniquely New Zealand traditions.

The pattern reveals that New Zealand relies on a mix of fixed dates and movable observances, with a notable addition of Matariki since 2022. The trade‑off: workers get a consistent 11 or 12 days off nationwide, but the shifting dates of Easter and Matariki require careful annual planning.

What Are the 12 Public Holidays in New Zealand in 2025?

National public holidays list

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

These 11 holidays are mandated nationwide – the government officially lists 12 when counting both New Year’s Day and the Day after New Year’s. The calendar omits regional anniversary days, which apply only in their respective provinces.

Dates for 2025

All dates are confirmed by the New Zealand Government’s public holiday page. The 2025 calendar sees Matariki fall on 20 June, creating a three‑day weekend (Friday‑Sunday). Labour Day lands on 27 October, another long weekend. The only potential shift: if Waitangi Day (a Thursday) or Anzac Day (Friday) fall on a weekend, Mondayisation gives an extra day off – but in 2025 both fall on weekdays, so no adjustment is needed.

The pattern: New Zealand’s holiday schedule balances fixed traditions with lunar and weekday‑based observances, requiring annual attention from both workers and planners.

Is King’s Birthday a Public Holiday in New Zealand?

King’s Birthday 2025 date

• Yes – it is a national public holiday, observed on the first Monday in June.
• In 2025 that falls on Monday 2 June (the first Monday after June 1, which is a Sunday).

The holiday originated as the monarch’s official birthday, decoupled from the actual birth date of the reigning sovereign. It remains a key winter break for many New Zealanders.

History of the holiday

Originally Empire Day or Queen’s Birthday, the holiday was rebranded after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022 to reflect King Charles III’s reign. The shift symbolises the evolution of New Zealand’s constitutional ties to the British monarchy.

The implication: despite its royal origins, the holiday now functions as a practical winter break, distinct from the cultural weight of Waitangi Day or Matariki.

What Is the Biggest Holiday in New Zealand?

Most significant holidays

Measured by participation and cultural weight, Christmas and New Year top the list – nearly every New Zealander gets time off, and travel peaks. Waitangi Day (6 February) is the national day, marked by ceremonies and debates about the Treaty of Waitangi. Matariki, while newer, has quickly become a popular celebration of Māori New Year.

Cultural importance

The significance of each holiday varies by community. For Māori, Matariki is a period for remembering ancestors and looking ahead. For many pākehā, Waitangi Day is a reflective public holiday. The diversity of holidays reflects the bicultural foundation of New Zealand.

“Matariki began as a quiet celebration in the early 2000s; now it’s a full public holiday with festivals and dawn ceremonies across the country.”

– Science Learning Hub (education resource, Matariki 2025 page)

The pattern: New Zealand’s biggest holidays are not defined by a single event but by a mix of colonial, civic, and indigenous observances, each with its own audience.

Who Has More Public Holidays, NZ or Australia?

Number of public holidays in Australia

Australia’s public holidays vary by state. Nationally mandated days: New Year’s Day, Australia Day (26 Jan), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day – that’s 7 nationwide. Each state adds 2–3 more (e.g., Queen’s Birthday, Labour Day). The total ranges from 7 to 10, depending on the state.

Comparison of NZ and Australia

The table below highlights the difference in holiday counts between the two countries.

New Zealand clearly has more nationwide holidays than any Australian state. The gap narrows when regional days are counted, but NZ workers still enjoy at least one additional day off compared to their Australian counterparts.

The implication: Kiwis get more legislated time off than their trans‑Tasman neighbours, especially during the winter months when Matariki and King’s Birthday provide two breaks.

Is Auckland Anniversary a Public Holiday?

Regional anniversary days

• Auckland Anniversary is a regional public holiday observed only in the Auckland region.
• It falls on the Monday nearest 29 January (the founding date of the province). In 2025, that’s Monday 27 January.
• Other provinces have similar days (e.g., Wellington Anniversary, Canterbury Anniversary, Otago Anniversary).

Auckland Anniversary date 2025

The 2025 Auckland Anniversary is Monday 27 January. This creates a long weekend at the end of January, often used for boating events, the Auckland Lunar Festival, and travel.

The catch: regional holidays create uneven breaks across the country, meaning a worker in Auckland gets more total days off than one in, say, Wellington or Canterbury.

“Matariki’s public holiday in 2025 falls on a Friday – a three‑day weekend for many – and businesses are advised to check surcharge policies early.”

– RNZ (news outlet, Matariki 2025 article)

Timeline: Key Public Holidays in 2025

The table below shows the confirmed dates for national and selected regional holidays in 2025.

The timeline shows that three holidays (Matariki, Labour Day, King’s Birthday) create long weekends in 2025. The pattern: New Zealand’s calendar gives workers a break roughly every two to three months, with an autumn gap between Easter and King’s Birthday.

Clarity: What’s Confirmed vs What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• 12 national public holidays in 2025 (New Zealand Government – official holiday list)
• Waitangi Day: 6 Feb (Mondayisation applies if on weekend – not needed in 2025)
• Anzac Day: 25 Apr
• King’s Birthday: first Monday in June (2 June)
• Matariki: 20 June (RNZ; National Library of New Zealand)
• Labour Day: fourth Monday in October (27 Oct)

What’s unclear

• Exact dates for regional anniversary days (all have confirmed 2025 dates published, but the list is long; we recommend checking the government page for each region)
• Whether the government will add any new public holidays (Matariki is the most recent addition; no others announced)

“Central Hawke’s Bay District Council stated that its local Matariki event was on Friday 13 June 2025, while the national Matariki public holiday was Friday 20 June 2025 – a reminder that local celebrations may differ from the official day off.”

– Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (local government, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council news)

The pattern: while the national calendar is clear, regional variations and local events add complexity that requires checking official sources.

What Happens Next: Planning for 2025

For most New Zealanders, the 2025 calendar means three long weekends (Matariki, Labour Day, plus the New Year period). Employers need to be aware of penalty rates for public holidays and the Mondayisation rule for Waitangi Day and Anzac Day. Regional anniversary days add extra days off in specific areas, but they require checking the local government schedule.

For travellers, the key dates are summer (Christmas/New Year) and the winter Matariki break – flights and accommodation near Queenstown’s winter ski season will fill quickly around 20 June. The pattern is clear: New Zealand’s public holiday mix offers a steady rhythm of rest, reflection, and celebration.

For workers in New Zealand, the choice is simple: mark these dates now, request annual leave around the long weekends early, and use the Matariki break to celebrate Māori New Year – or simply enjoy a three‑day winter weekend.

Related reading: **New Zealand Government – Public holidays and anniversary dates** · **Matariki public holiday 2025 – what’s open, what’s not (RNZ)**

For a comprehensive overview, the NZ Public Holidays 2025 guide includes frequently asked questions about Mondayisation and regional dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

The key takeaway: New Zealand’s public holiday schedule is well‑defined but requires annual checking of movable dates and regional rules.