New Zealand School Holidays 2026
Looking for New Zealand school holidays 2026? You'll find the complete 2026 school calendar for New Zealand, New Zealand right here — including all term dates, school holiday periods, public holidays, and important academic dates. Our data is sourced from Ministry of Education New Zealand and covers 4 terms and 5 school breaks in school year 2026/27. Whether you're planning family travel during the school holidays, booking vacation care, or need to know when the 2026 school year starts and ends, this comprehensive New Zealand school holiday calendar has everything you need.
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Summer Holidays
Dec 19 – Jan 25, 2027
New Zealand Term Dates 2026/27
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 67 | Starts between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February. Ends Thursday 2 April 2026 (78-96 half days). | ||
| Term 2 | 75 | Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July 2026 (106 half days). | ||
| Term 3 | 68 | Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September 2026 (100 half days). | ||
| Term 4 | 68 | Monday 12 October to no later than Friday 18 December 2026 (up to 98 half days). |
New Zealand School Holidays in school year 2026/27
| Break | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Holidays (Term 1 Break) | Apr 3 – Apr 19, 2026 | 17 |
| Easter Tuesday (School Holiday) | Apr 7 – Apr 7, 2026 | 1 |
| Winter Holidays (Term 2 Break) | Jul 4 – Jul 19, 2026 | 16 |
| Spring Holidays (Term 3 Break) | Sep 26 – Oct 11, 2026 | 16 |
| Summer Holidays | Dec 19 – Jan 25, 2027 | 38 |
New Zealand Public Holidays 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waitangi Day | 1 | — | ||
| Good Friday | 1 | — | ||
| Easter Monday | 1 | — | ||
| ANZAC Day | 1 | Falls on Saturday; observed Monday 27 April. | ||
| ANZAC Day (Observed) | 1 | Public holiday in lieu of ANZAC Day falling on Saturday 25 April. | ||
| King's Birthday | 1 | — | ||
| Matariki | 1 | — | ||
| Labour Day | 1 | — | ||
| Christmas Day | 1 | — | ||
| Boxing Day | 1 | — |
New Zealand School 2026 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
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Data last verified Sep 6, 2026. Dates come from the official source listed above — always confirm with your school or education authority before making important plans.
Detailed 2026 New Zealand School Year Information
Term 1
Mon, Jan 26, 2026 – Thu, Apr 2, 2026
Starts between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February. Ends Thursday 2 April 2026 (78-96 half days).
Term 2
Mon, Apr 20, 2026 – Fri, Jul 3, 2026
Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July 2026 (106 half days).
Term 3
Mon, Jul 20, 2026 – Fri, Sep 25, 2026
Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September 2026 (100 half days).
Term 4
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 – Fri, Dec 18, 2026
Monday 12 October to no later than Friday 18 December 2026 (up to 98 half days).
New Zealand School Holidays 2026/27 — Key Dates
These New Zealand school holiday dates for 2026 are sourced directly from Ministry of Education New Zealand. NZ school terms are set nationally by the Ministry of Education. The 2026 school year runs from late January to mid-December. Primary/intermediate schools require a minimum of 378 half-days; secondary/composite schools require 376 half-days. Schools have flexibility to choose start dates between 26 January and 9 February.
Planning Tips for 2026 New Zealand School Holidays
🏛️ One national calendar with a soft start
The Ministry of Education sets all four terms nationally; only Term 1 and Term 4 have start/end windows schools choose within. Terms 2 and 3 are fixed for everyone.
✨ Matariki is the newest holiday
The Matariki public holiday (Māori New Year) falls in late June or July and moves each year with the lunar calendar — check the exact date when planning winter travel.
⛄ Ski season collides with Term 3
The July winter break (two weeks) is peak ski season on the North Island's Mt Ruapehu and South Island fields — book Queenstown and Ruapehu accommodation well ahead.
🌞 Summer runs into February
The December-February summer break is 5-6 weeks; schools return in early February. Late February after schools resume is the quietest, cheapest travel window.
Data & source details Who this calendar applies to, where it came from, and when we will check it again
- Applies to
- Not yet recorded
- Does not apply to
- Not yet recorded
- Governance level
- National
- Date status
- Binding on schools
- Source document
- Not yet recorded
- Published by the authority
- Ministry of Education New Zealand
- Last checked by us
- Sep 6, 2026
- Next scheduled review
- Not yet recorded
- Known exceptions
- Not yet recorded
- Data version
- Not yet recorded
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: Ministry of Education New Zealand
Source last checked: September 6, 2026
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Note: NZ school terms are set nationally by the Ministry of Education. The 2026 school year runs from late January to mid-December. Primary/intermediate schools require a minimum of 378 half-days; secondary/composite schools require 376 half-days. Schools have flexibility to choose start dates between 26 January and 9 February.
Report a date error or source changeNew Zealand School Holidays 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the New Zealand school holidays for 2026?
NZ school holidays in 2026 include Autumn Holidays (April 3-19), Winter Holidays (July 4-19), Spring Holidays (September 26-October 11), and Summer Holidays (from December 19, 2026).
When does the 2026 school year start in New Zealand?
The 2026 school year in New Zealand starts between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February 2026. Term 1 ends on Thursday 2 April 2026. The school year ends no later than 18 December 2026.
How long is the summer holiday in New Zealand?
The NZ summer holiday is approximately 5-6 weeks long, starting no later than 19 December 2026 and running until late January 2027.
How many school holidays are there in 2026?
Most school systems have 4-6 major holiday periods throughout the year, typically including a long summer break, a winter/Christmas break, and shorter mid-term breaks in spring and autumn. The exact number depends on your country and region.
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.
Do private schools have different holiday dates?
Yes, private and independent schools often set their own term dates, which may differ from government/public schools. However, most private schools follow similar schedules to nearby public schools, with minor variations. Check directly with your school for exact dates.
Looking for School Holidays in Other Countries?
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