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NZ public holiday dates 2006-2009

While these lists have been compiled from the information provided, in good faith, we can give no guarantees of accuracy.

  Actual Date 2006 2007 2008 2009
New Years Day 1 January Sunday 1 January or Tuesday 3 January Monday 1 January Tuesday 1 January Thursday 1 January
Day after New Years Day 2 January Monday 2 January Tuesday 2 January Wednesday 2 January Friday 2 January
Waitangi Day 6 February Monday 6 February Tuesday 6 February Wednesday 6 February Friday 6 February
Good Friday varies Friday 14 April Friday 6 April Friday 21 March Friday 10 April
Easter Monday varies Monday 17 April Monday 9 April Monday 24 March Monday 13 April
ANZAC Day 25 April Tuesday 25 April Wednesday 25 April Friday 25 April Saturday 25 April
Queen's Birthday 1st Monday in June Monday 5 June Monday 4 June Monday 2 June Monday 1 June
Labour Day 4th Monday in October Monday 23 October Monday 22 October Monday 27 October Monday 26 October
Christmas Day 25 December Monday 25 December Tuesday 25 December Thursday 25 December Friday 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December Tuesday 26 December Wednesday 26 December Friday
26 December
Saturday 26 December or Monday 28 December

and the Anniversary Day of the Province in which an employee works, observed as follows:

Province Actual Date 2006 2007 2008 2009
Auckland 29 January Monday 30 January Monday 29 January Monday 28 January Monday 26 January
Taranaki 31 March Monday 13 March Monday 12 March Monday 10 March Monday 9 March
Hawkes' Bay 1 November Friday 20 October Friday 19 October Friday 24 October Friday 23 October
Wellington 22 January Monday 23 January Monday 22 January Monday 21 January Monday 19 January
Marlborough 1 November Monday 30 October Monday 29 October Monday 3 November Monday 2 November
Nelson 1 February Monday 30 January Monday 29 January Monday 4 February Monday 2 February
Canterbury 16 December Friday 17 November Friday 16 November Friday 14 November Friday 13 November
Canterbury (South) 16 December Monday 25 September Monday 24 September Monday 22 September Monday 28 September
Westland 1 December Monday 4 December Monday 3 December Monday 1 December Monday 7 December
Otago 23 March Monday 20 March Monday 26 March Monday 24 March/Tuesday 25 March* Monday 23 March
Southland 17 January Monday 16 January Monday 15 January Monday 14 January* Monday 19 January
Chatham Islands 30 November Monday 27 November Monday 3 December Monday 1 December Monday 30 November

Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day & 2 January Holiday

These public holidays are observed on the actual day when they fall on a weekday. When they fall on a Saturday/Sunday:

  • If the employee would normally have worked on the Saturday/Sunday, the public holiday is observed on the Saturday/Sunday
  • If the employee would not normally have worked on the Saturday/Sunday, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday/Tuesday
Provincial Anniversary Days These are generally observed on the Monday nearest to the actual day.
Provinces These relate to the former Provinces of 19th Century New Zealand and are not related to or determined by present-day Districts or Regions.
Taranaki Anniversary Day Moves to 2nd Monday in March to avoid Easter.
Hawkes Bay Anniversary Day Moved to Friday before Labour Day.
Marlborough Anniversary Day Observed 1st Monday after Labour Day.
Canterbury Anniversary Northern & Central Canterbury areas observe Christchurch Show Day. The definition for the Canterbury Anniversary Day celebration as decided by Christchurch City is the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November each year. South Canterbury observes Dominion Day, the 4th Monday in September.
Westland Varies throughout Westland, but Greymouth observes the official day.
*Otago & Southland Anniversary Days As there is no easily determined single day of local observance for Otago or Southland then the parties should rely on either their employment agreement or their own custom and practice.  Where there is no clear custom and practice then the parties should seek to find an agreement on how they will observe Anniversary Day.

If parties are unhappy with how this matter has been handled in their workplace they can seek assistance from a Labour Inspector, or if they require help to settle agreement in their workplace they can seek assistance from the Department's mediation service.
Easter Easter dates confirmed by Catholic Church.


Further information & guidance

We welcome the opportunity to help you further. If you can't find an answer to your question, or you want further clarification, more detailed information or guidance on any matter covered here, please contact us. We value your query and will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Call us free on 0800 20 90 20 or visit our website at www.ers.dol.govt.nz.

The content of this document covers common problems. It will not answer every question and should not be used as a substitute for legislation or legal advice.

The Department of Labour takes no responsibility for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information on this website, or for any errors or omissions.

Department of Labour