New Zealand has 11 national public holidays in 2026, plus regional Anniversary Days. Each public holiday carries specific employer obligations around pay rates, alternative holidays, and what happens when an employee works. Getting these rules wrong under the Holidays Act 2003 creates immediate liability.
This guide covers every 2026 public holiday, the pay rules that apply, and the employer obligations you need to meet.
Key Takeaways
- New Zealand has 11 national public holidays in 2026, plus one regional Anniversary Day per employee
- Matariki falls on Friday 10 July 2026 (always a Friday in June or July)
- If an employee works on a public holiday, they receive time-and-a-half pay plus an alternative holiday
- Public holiday pay is based on “relevant daily pay” — the greater of ordinary daily pay or average daily earnings
- Sick leave does not count toward public holiday entitlements, but annual leave does
- Public holiday pay rules are strictly enforced by Employment New Zealand
2026 National Public Holidays
| Date | Holiday | Day of Week | If Falls on Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | Thursday | Observed 1 January |
| 2 January | Day after New Year’s Day | Friday | Observed 2 January |
| 6 February | Waitangi Day | Friday | Observed 6 February |
| 3 April | Good Friday | Friday | Observed 3 April |
| 6 April | Easter Monday | Monday | Observed 6 April |
| 25 April | Anzac Day | Saturday | Observed Monday 27 April |
| 1 June | King’s Birthday | Monday | Observed 1 June |
| 10 July | Matariki | Friday | Observed 10 July |
| 26 October | Labour Day | Monday | Observed 26 October |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Friday | Observed 25 December |
| 26 December | Boxing Day | Saturday | Observed Monday 28 December |
Weekend Public Holiday Observance
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. The date of the observed holiday is when the entitlement applies, not the actual calendar date.
Example 2026: Anzac Day falls on Saturday 25 April. It is observed on Monday 27 April. Employees are entitled to the holiday on Monday 27 April.
Matariki Public Holiday
Matariki, the Māori New Year, became an official public holiday in 2022. The date varies each year but always falls on a Friday in either June or July.
2026 Date: Friday 10 July
Cultural Significance
Matariki celebrates the rising of the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades), marking the Māori New Year and the beginning of the planting season. It is a time for reflection, celebration, and planning for the year ahead.
Employer Considerations
- Plan team coverage well in advance — Matariki date is confirmed annually
- Be aware of cultural sensitivity if employees request time off for Matariki-related events or community celebrations
- Recognise that some employees may view this holiday differently from other public holidays due to its cultural significance
Regional Anniversary Days
Each New Zealand region has one additional public holiday for its Anniversary Day. The date varies by region.
| Region | Anniversary Day | 2026 Date |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Auckland Anniversary | Monday 2 February |
| Northland | Anniversary Day | Monday 2 February |
| Nelson | Anniversary Day | Monday 2 February |
| Taranaki | Anniversary Day | Monday 2 February |
| Hawke’s Bay | Anniversary Day | Friday 23 October |
| Wellington | Anniversary | Monday 26 January |
| Marlborough | Anniversary | Monday 2 November |
| West Coast | Anniversary | Monday 2 November |
| Canterbury (South) | Anniversary Day | Friday 11 December |
| Canterbury (Christchurch) | Show Day | Friday 13 November |
| Otago | Anniversary Day | Monday 23 March |
| Southland | Anniversary Day | Monday 20 April |
| Chatham Islands | Anniversary Day | Monday 30 November |
Note: Some regions have overlapping dates. Check the specific Anniversary Day for your location if you operate across multiple regions.
Public Holiday Pay Rules
Relevant Daily Pay Calculation
Employees who do not work on a public holiday are paid “relevant daily pay” — the greater of:
- Ordinary daily pay: What the employee would normally earn on a day they worked
- Average daily earnings: Total gross earnings ÷ number of days worked in the 4 weeks before the holiday
Example: Relevant Daily Pay
Employee worked these 4 weeks before a public holiday:
| Week | Gross Earnings | Days Worked |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | $1,200 | 5 days |
| Week 2 | $1,200 | 5 days |
| Week 3 | $1,440 | 5 days (1 day overtime) |
| Week 4 | $1,200 | 5 days |
Calculation:
- Total gross earnings: $5,040
- Total days worked: 20 days
- Average daily earnings: $5,040 ÷ 20 = $252
If the employee’s ordinary daily pay is $240, relevant daily pay is the greater of $252 or $240 = $252.
Working on a Public Holiday
If an employee works on a public holiday, they receive:
- Time-and-a-half pay for the hours worked
- An alternative holiday (day in lieu)
Example: Employee works 8 hours on a public holiday, earning $30/hour:
- Time-and-a-half pay: 8 × $30 × 1.5 = $360
- Alternative holiday: 1 day taken later
- Total benefit: $360 + 1 day’s leave
leave emails? Track your employee's leave with Leave Balance
Alternative Holiday Rules
An alternative holiday is a day off in lieu of the public holiday. Key rules:
- Must be taken on a day the employee would normally work
- If the employee and employer cannot agree on a day, the employer can choose
- Can be taken within 12 months (but many employers allow more flexibility)
- Paid at relevant daily pay when taken (not time-and-a-half)
Example: Employee works on Anzac Day (Saturday, observed Monday 27 April). They receive time-and-a-half for Saturday, and the alternative holiday can be taken any agreed day before April 2027.
Sick Leave and Public Holidays
Sick leave taken in the 4 weeks before a public holiday is NOT included when calculating average daily earnings. Only days actually worked count.
Example: Employee takes 2 sick days in the 4 weeks before a public holiday. Those 2 days are excluded from the average calculation. The divisor becomes 18 days worked, not 20 days.
Annual leave taken during the 4-week period IS included in the average calculation.
Employer Obligations
1. Pay Correct Public Holiday Rates
You must pay either:
- Relevant daily pay if the employee does not work
- Time-and-a-half if the employee works
Calculation error: Paying ordinary rates for public holidays or using the wrong method for relevant daily pay creates immediate underpayment liability.
2. Provide Alternative Holidays
If an employee works on a public holiday, you must provide an alternative holiday (day in lieu) in addition to time-and-a-half pay. Failing to provide the alternative holiday breaches the Holidays Act.
3. Maintain Accurate Records
You must keep records of:
- Public holidays worked
- Alternative holidays taken
- Public holiday pay calculations
- Relevant daily pay calculations
These records must be available for Employment New Zealand inspection.
4. Inform Employees of Entitlements
Employees must be informed of:
- Which public holidays they are entitled to
- Their regional Anniversary Day
- Pay rates for public holidays
- How to request alternative holidays
Best practice: Include public holiday entitlements in employment agreements and post a holiday calendar in the workplace.
Common Public Holiday Mistakes
1. Paying Ordinary Rates for Worked Holidays
If an employee works on a public holiday, they receive time-and-a-half, not ordinary rates. Paying ordinary rates is a clear breach of the Holidays Act.
2. Forgetting the Alternative Holiday
Working on a public holiday entitles employees to BOTH time-and-a-half pay AND an alternative holiday. Providing only the pay and not the day in lieu breaches the Act.
3. Incorrect Relevant Daily Pay Calculation
Relevant daily pay is the GREATER of ordinary daily pay or average daily earnings. Using only ordinary daily pay (if average is higher) or only average earnings (if ordinary is higher) underpays the employee.
4. Including Sick Leave in Average Calculation
Sick days in the 4-week period are NOT counted when calculating average daily earnings. Including them overstates the divisor and underpays the employee.
5. Missing Regional Anniversary Days
Every employee is entitled to their regional Anniversary Day in addition to the 11 national holidays. Forgetting this entitlement creates underpayment.
6. Confusing Observed Dates with Actual Dates
When a holiday falls on a weekend, entitlement applies on the observed date (Monday), not the actual date (Saturday/Sunday). Paying on the actual date when the observed date is the entitlement breaches the Act.
Public Holiday Planning for Employers
Staff Coverage Planning
- Identify key dates when multiple employees may want leave around holidays (Christmas/New Year, Easter)
- Plan rosters to ensure adequate coverage during holiday periods
- Communicate holiday expectations early to manage team availability
Leave Balance Visibility
Use leave management software to:
- Track annual leave balances approaching expiry
- View team availability around public holidays
- Manage alternative holiday accruals and utilisation
- Monitor public holiday pay calculations for accuracy
Regional Business Operations
If you operate across multiple regions with different Anniversary Days, track regional entitlements separately. Employees in Wellington have different holiday entitlements from employees in Auckland.
FAQ: Public Holidays 2026
What if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. Employees are entitled to the holiday on the observed date, not the weekend date.
Do I pay time-and-a-half if an employee works on a public holiday?
Yes. Employees who work on a public holiday must receive time-and-a-half pay for the hours worked, PLUS an alternative holiday (day in lieu). The alternative holiday is paid at relevant daily pay when taken.
How do I calculate relevant daily pay?
Calculate both ordinary daily pay and average daily earnings (total gross earnings ÷ days worked in the 4 weeks before the holiday). The employee is entitled to the GREATER of the two amounts.
Do sick days count when calculating average daily earnings?
No. Only days actually worked count toward the average. Sick leave taken in the 4-week period is excluded from the calculation.
What if an employee works a public holiday and then resigns before taking the alternative holiday?
You must pay out the monetary value of the alternative holiday at relevant daily pay. The alternative holiday does not expire if employment ends.
Do casual employees get public holidays?
Yes. Casual employees are entitled to public holidays if they would have normally worked on that day. They receive time-and-a-half if they work, or relevant daily pay if they don’t work (but would have worked).
What if my business closes for public holidays?
If your business closes for a public holiday and employees would have worked, you must pay relevant daily pay for the day. You cannot treat it as unpaid leave.
Can I require employees to work on public holidays?
You can require employees to work on public holidays if business operations require it. However, you must pay time-and-a-half and provide an alternative holiday. You cannot penalise employees for refusing to work public holidays if reasonable notice is given.
How long can employees wait to take alternative holidays?
The Holidays Act specifies alternative holidays must be taken within 12 months of the public holiday. However, many employers allow more flexibility. Check your employment agreement or workplace policy.
What if an employee is on annual leave when a public holiday occurs?
If an employee is on annual leave and a public holiday falls during that period, the public holiday is NOT deducted from their annual leave balance. Annual leave continues to accrue during public holidays.
Next Steps
Now that you understand 2026 public holiday obligations, you may want to explore related topics:
- The Holidays Act in New Zealand: What Every Employer Must Know in 2026 — complete Holidays Act coverage
- Annual Leave in New Zealand: Entitlements, Calculation, and Common Questions — annual leave rules and calculation
- Calculating Leave Pay in New Zealand: OWP vs AWE Explained — detailed calculation guide
leave emails? Track your employee's leave with Leave Balance