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New Year’s Day in New Zealand

This national overview identifies holiday occasions. Public holiday dates, substitute days and school calendars depend on the country or region. Use your jurisdiction calendar for closures and countdowns.

Regional calendars

Choose your jurisdiction for public holidays, substitute dates, local exceptions and school calendars.

About this calendar

New Year’s Day is a nationwide New Zealand public holiday observed on 1 January. The actual calendar date and an employee’s observed day can differ when statutory Mondayisation applies.

Coverage

Eligible employees receive public-holiday protections when the day would otherwise be a working day. When 1 January falls on a weekend, weekday entitlements transfer under the Holidays Act.

Dates and coverage by jurisdiction — 2027

Additional and substitute dates are separate entries. Local and sector-only holidays apply only to the areas or institutions specified.

Auckland

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Canterbury

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Chatham Islands

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Hawke's Bay

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Marlborough

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Nelson

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Otago

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

South Canterbury

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Southland

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Taranaki

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Wellington

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Westland

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Public-holiday date under New Zealand rules. Official source

Missing entries do not establish that a jurisdiction has no holiday. Check its calendar for pending official dates and local exceptions.

Background

The holiday reflects the first day of the calendar year. Its modern employment treatment comes from New Zealand public-holiday legislation.

Workplaces

Government offices generally close. Businesses may operate, and employees working an otherwise working public holiday receive statutory pay and alternative-holiday entitlements where applicable.

Banks

Bank branches generally close and payment processing can move to the next business day; digital services remain available.

Schools

State schools close for statutory holidays or scheduled term breaks. Families should verify term dates and local arrangements.

Planning

Summer-holiday traffic is already high around 1 January. Check Cook Strait ferry, intercity road and airline schedules for both the calendar and observed workday.

Frequently asked questions

When is New Year’s Day in New Zealand?

It is observed on 1 January, subject to statutory transfer rules where applicable.

Can the observed date differ?

When 1 January falls on a weekend, weekday entitlements transfer under the Holidays Act.

What if an employee works?

Public-holiday pay and alternative-day rules depend on whether it is otherwise a working day.

Holiday guides

Official sources

New Zealand Ministry of Education: New Zealand Ministry of Education: school terms and holidays

Employment New Zealand: Employment New Zealand: actual or transferred holiday

Employment New Zealand: Employment New Zealand: public holidays and anniversary dates

New Zealand Government: New Zealand Government: legislated Matariki dates