New Zealand School Holiday Dates 2026 & 2027
Planning family life around school terms just got easier. Below you’ll find the complete NZ school holiday dates for 2026 and 2027, official term dates for primary, intermediate and secondary schools, all national public holidays, and every regional Anniversary Day — all sourced from the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Bookmark this page — we update it every year.
Important: Individual school start and end dates can vary by up to one week for Term 1 and Term 4. Always check with your child’s school to confirm their exact dates.
Quick Answer: 2026 School Holidays at a Glance
- Autumn (Term 1): Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026
- Winter (Term 2): Saturday 4 July – Sunday 19 July 2026 (includes Matariki Friday 10 July)
- Spring (Term 3): Saturday 26 September – Sunday 11 October 2026
- Summer (Term 4): Starts no later than Saturday 19 December 2026 (5–6 weeks)
Scroll down for full term dates, the 2027 holiday calendar, public holidays, Anniversary Days by region, and our top tips for making the most of each school break.
In this article:
Whether you’re booking a family holiday, arranging childcare, or just trying to keep track of the school year, these dates will help you plan ahead with confidence.
What are the school holiday dates for 2026 in New Zealand?
New Zealand schools take four holiday breaks each year. Here are the 2026 school holiday dates for all state and state-integrated schools.
Autumn Holidays (Term 1)
Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026
Includes: Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), Easter Tuesday (7 Apr)
❄️ Winter Holidays (Term 2)
Saturday 4 July – Sunday 19 July 2026
Includes: Matariki — Friday 10 July 2026
Spring Holidays (Term 3)
Saturday 26 September – Sunday 11 October 2026
No public holidays
☀️ Summer Holidays (Term 4)
Starts no later than Saturday 19 December 2026
5–6 weeks. Ends between late January and early February 2027.
Remember that Matariki falls during the July school holidays in 2026, making it a great time to plan family activities that celebrate Te Ao Māori. Check out our Matariki activities for kids guide for inspiration.
What are the school term dates for 2026?
Here are the 2026 term dates for New Zealand primary, intermediate and secondary schools, as set by the Ministry of Education. Note that Term 1 start dates and Term 4 closing dates have some flexibility — individual schools may vary by up to one week.
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Public Holidays in Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Between Mon 26 Jan & Mon 9 Feb 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 | Waitangi Day – Fri 6 Feb |
| Term 2 | Monday 20 April 2026 | Friday 3 July 2026 | Anzac Day (observed Mon 27 Apr), King’s Birthday Mon 1 Jun |
| Term 3 | Monday 20 July 2026 | Friday 25 September 2026 | None |
| Term 4 | Monday 12 October 2026 | No later than Friday 18 December 2026 | Labour Day – Mon 26 Oct |
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Education — School Terms and Holidays Dates. Always check with your child’s school directly as Term 1 and Term 4 dates can vary by a few days.
What are the school holiday dates for 2027?
Planning a big family trip or annual leave for 2027? Here are the confirmed school holiday dates and term dates for 2027, also sourced from the Ministry of Education.
| Holiday Break | Dates 2027 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (Term 1) | Sat 10 April – Mon 26 April 2027 | Anzac Day observed Mon 26 Apr |
| Winter (Term 2) | Sat 3 July – Sun 18 July 2027 | Check Matariki date for 2027 |
| Spring (Term 3) | Sat 25 September – Sun 10 October 2027 | No public holidays |
| Summer (Term 4) | Starts no later than Sat 18 December 2027 | 5–6 weeks into early 2028 |
| Term | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Between Thu 28 Jan & Thu 4 Feb 2027 | Friday 9 April 2027 |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 27 April 2027 | Friday 2 July 2027 |
| Term 3 | Monday 19 July 2027 | Friday 24 September 2027 |
| Term 4 | Monday 11 October 2027 | No later than Friday 17 December 2027 |
Start planning your 2027 school holiday activities now — popular accommodation and holiday programmes fill up months in advance, especially over summer and during the July school break.
New Zealand Public Holidays 2026
All New Zealand state and state-integrated schools must close on the following national public holidays. Note that when a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is observed on the nearest Monday or Friday.
| Public Holiday | Date 2026 | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Day after New Year’s Day | 2 January | Friday |
| Waitangi Day | 6 February | Friday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday (in Term 1 holidays) |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday (in Term 1 holidays) |
| Easter Tuesday (schools only) | 7 April | Tuesday (in Term 1 holidays) |
| Anzac Day (observed) | Monday 27 April | Monday (in Term 2) |
| King’s Birthday | 1 June | Monday (in Term 2) |
| Matariki ⭐ | 10 July | Friday (in Term 2 holidays) |
| Labour Day | 26 October | Monday (in Term 4) |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday (summer holidays) |
| Boxing Day | 26 December (observed Mon 28 Dec) | Saturday |
Matariki is a special occasion in the school holiday calendar — it’s a time to celebrate the Māori New Year with your whānau. If you’d like to mark Matariki meaningfully with your children, our guide to Matariki activities for kids has lots of free ideas.
NZ Regional Anniversary Days 2026
Each region of New Zealand has its own Anniversary Day — a public holiday specific to that area. Schools in your region must close on this day. Here are the 2026 Anniversary Days by region:
| Region | Anniversary Day 2026 |
|---|---|
| Northland | Monday 26 January |
| Auckland | Monday 26 January |
| Wellington | Monday 19 January |
| Nelson | Monday 26 January |
| Taranaki | Monday 9 March |
| Otago | Monday 23 March |
| Southland | Tuesday 7 April (Easter Tuesday) |
| South Canterbury | Monday 21 September |
| Hawke’s Bay | Friday 23 October |
| Marlborough | Monday 2 November |
| Canterbury | Friday 13 November |
| Chatham Islands | Monday 30 November |
| Westland | Monday 30 November |
Auckland and Northland schools start Term 1 one day earlier than the rest of the country due to Auckland Anniversary Day — so Auckland families, your Term 1 start will be one day ahead of what most school calendars show.
5 tips for planning the school holidays in New Zealand
School holidays feel long when you haven’t planned ahead — but they can be wonderful with a little preparation. Here are our top tips for making school holidays work for your family.
1. Book early — especially for July
July is ski season in New Zealand, and popular ski towns like Queenstown and Wanaka book out months in advance. For summer holidays, top campgrounds and holiday parks fill up from September onwards.
2. Look up free local events
Most councils run free or low-cost school holiday programmes. Auckland Council’s website lists activities by suburb. Libraries, museums and galleries also run free holiday sessions across the country.
3. Plan around Matariki in July 2026
Matariki falls on Friday 10 July 2026 — right in the middle of the winter school holidays. Use the long weekend to do something meaningful as a whānau, like stargazing, planting seeds, or attending a local Matariki event.
4. Set a holiday budget early
With living costs rising across New Zealand, it helps to know what you’re spending before the holidays arrive. Even NZ$50–$100 set aside from each pay cycle adds up. See our family budgeting guide for simple strategies.
5. Keep a mix of structured and unstructured time
Kids don’t need to be entertained every hour. A balance of planned outings and unstructured play at home is healthiest — and much kinder on the family budget too.
For more holiday activity ideas by age group and region, browse our school holiday activities guide — we update it every term.
The bottom line
New Zealand families have four school holiday breaks in 2026: 3–19 April, 4–19 July (with Matariki on 10 July), 26 September–11 October, and summer holidays from 19 December. Always double-check dates with your school — Term 1 and Term 4 dates can shift by a few days depending on your school’s specific calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the questions NZ families most commonly search for about school holidays and term dates.
When do NZ schools go back in 2026 after the summer holidays?
Most schools start Term 1 2026 between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February. Auckland schools typically start a day earlier due to Auckland Anniversary Day. Check with your child’s school for their exact date.
When is Matariki 2026?
Matariki 2026 falls on Friday 10 July 2026. It is a national public holiday and falls during the Term 2 (winter) school holidays.
Are school holiday dates the same for all NZ schools?
The holiday dates for Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationally by the Ministry of Education. Term 1 start dates and Term 4 end dates have a window of flexibility — individual schools choose their own specific dates within that window, so they can vary by up to one week. Private schools set their own dates and may differ further.
How long is the summer school holiday in New Zealand?
The summer school holiday in New Zealand runs for 5 to 6 weeks. In 2026, schools close no later than Saturday 19 December 2026 and return between late January and early February 2027.
When is Easter 2026 and does it affect school holidays?
Good Friday in 2026 falls on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April — both are in the Term 1 school holidays. Easter Tuesday (7 April) is also a school holiday.
When does Term 2 start in 2026?
Term 2 2026 starts on Monday 20 April 2026 and runs through to Friday 3 July 2026 for all NZ state and state-integrated schools.
What is the difference between primary and secondary school term dates?
In most years, primary/intermediate and secondary/composite school term dates are identical. However, the number of required half-days can differ slightly. The Ministry of Education publishes separate calendars for each at education.govt.nz.
Do New Zealand school holidays line up with Australia?
Not always. Australian school terms vary by state and are generally set on a slightly different schedule. If you’re travelling between New Zealand and Australia during school holidays, it’s worth checking the specific Australian state’s term dates separately.
Have a question not covered above? Leave a comment below or get in touch with the KiwiFamilies team.
I have a grandchild (almost 11 years old) who lives on the North Shore of Auckland, who is ADD and who has great problems at school. She is very far behind and her parents are struggling to find a secondary school for her. Please do you know anyone who can help them a) find a secondary school for her and b) get an appropriate assessment and treatment. I would b e very grateful for your advice. Many thanks in advance. Barbara Bash (London, England)
You should definitely take a look at our information on ADHD: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/ Best of luck to your family. –Kiwi Families
Thank you for this school holiday dates it is important for all of us especially to the students.
You’re most welcome!
Thank you for this.
You’re most welcome, we hope it’s useful!
Thanks guys for the great information I have bookmarked this page for future reference.
You are most welcome, we update this information every year!