Public Holidays NZ 2025 - Everything you need to know

Published 23 January 2025 | 2 min read

Your guide to New Zealand's Public Holidays

New Zealand offers up to 11 public holidays annually, each holding national, religious, or cultural significance. While most holidays occur on the same date every year, the observed date may vary depending on when it falls during the week.

Here's the public holiday dates in New Zealand for 2025 + we answer your burning HR & employment questions on entitlements, transferring leave, and more. 

National Public Holidays – 2025

These holidays are observed nationwide:

• New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January
• Day after New Year’s Day: Thursday, 2 January
• Waitangi Day: Thursday, 6 February
• Good Friday: Friday, 18 April
• Easter Monday: Monday, 21 April
• Anzac Day: Friday, 25 April
• King’s Birthday: Monday, 2 June
• Matariki: Friday, 20 June
• Labour Day: Monday, 27 October
• Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December
• Boxing Day: Friday, 26 December

Regional Anniversary Days – 2025

Regional holidays are observed in specific areas:

• Auckland: Monday, 27 January
• Canterbury (South): Monday, 22 September
• Canterbury: Friday, 14 November
• Chatham Islands: Monday, 1 December
• Hawke’s Bay: Friday, 24 October
• Marlborough: Monday, 3 November
• Nelson: Monday, 3 February
• Otago: Monday, 24 March
• Southland: Tuesday, 22 April
• Taranaki: Monday, 10 March
• Wellington: Monday, 20 January
• Westland: Monday, 1 December

Answers to your HR & employment questions 

We've compiled key information to address your pressing questions about NZ public holidays and employment rights in 2025.

What if an employee has to work on a public holiday?

The official word is clear: an employee can only be made to work on a public holiday if it falls on a day they would otherwise work, and their employment agreement stipulates it.

Availability on public holidays outside agreed hours requires fair compensation, and genuine reasons must be provided.

What are an employee's public holiday entitlements?

Every Kiwi employee is entitled to a maximum of 12 public holidays per year. However, claiming two public holidays for Mondayised dates or exceeding four during the Christmas and New Year period is a no-go.

Specific entitlements depend on whether they work on the holiday and their regular work schedule.

What happens when a public holiday falls within a leave period?

The situation varies based on the type of leave:

• Business close-down period: If a business close-down includes public holidays (e.g., Christmas and New Year), employees are entitled to a paid public holiday if they would have worked on that day if the close-down weren't in effect.
• Annual leave: During annual leave, if a public holiday falls, employees get a paid public holiday if they would have normally worked on that day, and it doesn't deduct from their annual leave balance.
• Parental leave: If a public holiday falls within parental leave, the employer doesn't have to pay for it since the employee wouldn't have normally worked on that day.
• Sickness, injury, bereavement, or family violence leave: If an employee would have worked on a public holiday but cannot due to illness, family violence, or bereavement, it's treated as a paid unworked public holiday. Sick or family violence leave is not deducted from entitlement balances, and the public holiday doesn't count toward bereavement leave.
• Unpaid leave: If a public holiday occurs during a period of unpaid leave, the employee typically doesn't receive payment as it wouldn't be an otherwise working day.

In true Kiwi collaboration, employers and employees should communicate and agree on any holiday arrangements.

Can you transfer a public holiday to another day?

Absolutely. Employers and employees can agree to transfer a public holiday to another day for various reasons, but it must meet specific criteria.

The transferred day becomes the new public holiday for the employee, with corresponding entitlements.

Can an employer have a policy in place against transferring public holidays?

Absolutely, but it's not a one-size-fits-all situation. Employers may establish a workplace policy stating that they won't consider requests to transfer public holidays.

This policy could encompass requests for the whole or part of the public holiday and may apply to the entire business or specific departments.

However, to fulfill their good faith obligations, employers should consult with employees during the development of such a policy.

Templates for NZ businesses [Free Download]

• Annual Leave Policy Template: For New Zealand managers to ensure requests for annual leave are assessed fairly and positive work-life balances are recognised.
• Leave Application Form Template: For New Zealand managers to grant annual leave to employees, so that they can have time off work for rest and recreation.

That's all from us!

Plan ahead for a productive and enjoyable 2025, ensuring compliance with employment laws and fostering a positive workplace environment. For the latest updates, refer to Employment New Zealand.

Kia kaha, from the team at EQ Consultants, have a fantastic year!

Note: This information is based on official details from Employment New Zealand and is subject to change. Always refer to the latest guidelines for the most accurate information. Visit Employment New Zealand here.