Holidays in New Zealand can refer to publicly observed holidays or to a vacation period. The word holiday has related but different meanings in English-speaking countries. ... Vacation is a term used in North America to describe time away from work or school, a trip abroad, or simply a pleasure trip away from home. ...

Public holidays

Public holidays have particular implications for employment and shop trading hours in New Zealand.

For employment purposes, under current legislation, workers who work on a public holiday must be given equivalent time off on another day, and be paid time-and-a-half. Their holidays cannot be exchanged for cash. Time-and-a-half is when a worker (or workers) is paid 1. ...

While shops may trade on most public holidays, there are special trading restrictions on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and before 1pm on ANZAC Day. In recent years there has been deliberate violations of these trading restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday by garden centres. (Previously, garden centres were exempt from these restrictions.) A garden centre is a type of shop that sell products related to Gardens such as plants, compost, statues, fertilizers and garden ornaments. ...

In tourist towns, such as Queenstown in the South Island, some exemptions are granted by the district council for selected shops to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The reason being is to keep up the level of service to the tourists, as many would not know the shops will be closed on those public holidays. However, liquor sale is restricted in some of those public holidays (not usually a problem because shops are usually closed on those public holidays). Panorama of the view from the Remarkables back toward Frankton airport (Queenstown airport) with Queenstown beyond. ...

There are two types of public holidays:

• Statutory Holidays, which are legislated by law.
• Provincial Anniversary Days, which commemorate the founding of the province or an early settlement event.

Statutory holidays

These holidays are legislated by several Acts of Parliament, particularly the Holidays Act 2003.

Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day are always commemorated on the exact date, as they commemorate specific historical events. Apart from Good Friday the other New Zealand Statutory Holidays have been Mondayised.

For example: If 1 January or 25 December is a Saturday or Sunday, then the following Monday is the statutory holiday for New Year's Day or Christmas Day. If 2 January or 26 December is a Saturday, then the Day after New Year's Day or Boxing Day is celebrated on the next Monday. If either of these days occurs on a Sunday, then the holiday occurs on the following Tuesday, as the Monday will have been used for New Year or Christmas. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. ... January 2 is the second day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, 361st in leap years. ...

This situation has been complicated by the most recent incarnation of the Holidays Act. The holiday is Mondayised only if the employee would not usually work on weekends. For example an office worker who works only Monday to Friday would get to the Statutory holidays on the Monday (or Tuesday for days that fell on Sundays). But an employee who usually worked Saturdays would not get the Monday holiday as they did not work on the Saturday.

The word holiday has related but different meanings in English-speaking countries. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... For information on the movie, New Years Day, see New Years Day (film). ... January 2 is the second day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Waitangi Day is a public holiday in New Zealand held each year on February 6 to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealands founding document, on that date in 1840. ... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by most Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. ... The Galileo spacecraft took this composite image on 7 December 1992 on its way to explore the Jupiter system in 1995-97. ... Illumination of Earth by Sun on the day of equinox The vernal equinox (or spring equinox) marks the beginning of astronomical spring. ... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... Easter Monday is a holiday celebrated the next day after Easter Sunday in some largely Christian cultural traditions. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (116th in leap years). ... ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Australian War Memorial, 25 April 2005, 90th anniversary Australia and New Zealand commemorate the ANZAC Day public holiday on the 25th of April every year to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), and of... In Jersey the Lieutenant-Governor hosts a reception for the public at Government House to mark the Queens Official Birthday at which he announces recipients of Birthday Honours The Queens Birthday or Queens Official Birthday is celebrated as a public holiday in several Commonwealth countries (usually Commonwealth... Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from the revision dated 2005-08-20, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. ... Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus, at the first Christmas Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, 361st in leap years. ... Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in many Commonwealth countries on 26 December. ...

Provincial anniversary days

Additionally, the Holidays Act 1981 specifies each locality observing a Provincial Anniversary Day to celebrate the founding days or landing days of the first colonists of the various colonial provinces. However the exact dates are not legislated for. The regions covered are set by provincial district (as they stood when abolished in 1876), plus Southland, the Chatham Islands, South Canterbury and Northland. The actual observance days can vary even within each province and is due to local custom, convenience or the proximity of seasonal events or other holidays. This may differ from the official observance day, and may be several weeks from the official day. (For the current top-level subdivision of New Zealand, see Regions of New Zealand) Provinces in New Zealand were used from 1841 until the Abolition of the Provinces Act came into force on November 1, 1876. ...   Categories: New Zealand-related stubs | Southland, New Zealand | Territorial Authorities of New Zealand ... The Chatham Islands from space. ... The Northland Region, one of the regions of New Zealand, is, as the name suggests, the northernmost of New Zealands administrative regions. ...

  Categories: New Zealand-related stubs | Southland, New Zealand | Territorial Authorities of New Zealand ... Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost settlements in the world. ... Panorama of the view from the summit of Bluff Hill near Invercargill Bluff is a town and seaport located in the Southland region on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. ... Panorama of Milford Sound showing Bowen Falls in full flow on the far right. ... Fiordland is a region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island. ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Wellington region of New Zealand occupies the southern end of the North Island. ... Manawatu is a district in the Manawatu-Wanganui region in the North Island of New Zealand. ... Wanganui is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... Waikato is the name of a region in the North Island of New Zealand. ... The King Country is a region of the western North Island of New Zealand. ... Coromandel can refer to several places: For the town and peninsula in New Zealand, see Coromandel, New Zealand and Coromandel Peninsula For the southeastern Indian coastline, see Coromandel Coast For the city in Minas Gerais, Brazil, see Coromandel (Minas Gerais) Coromandel, Mauritius is a community in Mauritius This is a... The Bay of Plenty, often abbreviated to BoP, is a region of New Zealand situated around the body of water of the same name. ... Gisborne is the name of a unitary authority (in this case, a region and district) in New Zealand. ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Northland Region, one of the regions of New Zealand, is, as the name suggests, the northernmost of New Zealands administrative regions. ... Whangarei (the initial consonant is often pronounced F as in fong-a-ray) is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The city of Nelson stands on the eastern side of Tasman Bay at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand and is the administrative centre for Nelson Province. ... The city of Nelson stands on the eastern side of Tasman Bay at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand and is the administrative centre for Nelson Province. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Otago (help· info) is one of the regions of New Zealand and lies in the south-east of the South Island. ... Alternative meanings at Dunedin (disambiguation) Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, located in coastal Otago. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in Leap years). ... View of Mount Taranaki from Stratford (facing west). ... New Plymouth is the port and main city in the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (91st in Leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... The New Zealand region of Canterbury mostly comprises the Canterbury Plains. ... September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years). ... Dominion Day is a commemoration day of the granting of national status in various Commonwealth countries. ... Hawkes Bay is a region of New Zealand. ... Napier is an important port city in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. ... Hastings Town Square Hastings City is a city in Hawkes Bay, close to the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from the revision dated 2005-08-20, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... Marlborough is one of the regions of New Zealand, located in the northeast of the South Island. ... A view of the harbour in Picton. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from the revision dated 2005-08-20, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... The Chatham Islands from space. ... November 30 is the 334th day (335th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days remaining, as the final day of November. ... The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island. ... Westport is a town in the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. ... Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region on the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The New Zealand region of Canterbury mostly comprises the Canterbury Plains. ... For other uses, see Christchurch (disambiguation). ... Ashburton is a town in the Canterbury region on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. ... Banks Peninsula is roughly circular in shape, with many bays, and two deep harbours. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Annual leave and non-working days

In addition to the above holidays many New Zealand workers have three or four weeks' vacation, often taken in the summer Christmas – New Year period. (As New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, the summer months are from December to February, and the best summer weather often occurs during January and February.) In many industries this coincides with a Christmas – New Year shutdown for maintenance. With only 3 working days between Christmas and New Year, many workers take this time off, as they can have a 10-day summer break for only 3 days' leave. Many retail outlets also hold sales at this time to stimulate business while others close down due to low demand for services. The days from 25 December to 15 January are not considered to be working days for official government purposes, although the public counters of most government departments do open weekdays during this period, though often only a limited service may be available. Southern Hemisphere The Southern Hemisphere is the half of a planets surface (or celestial sphere) that is south of the equator (the word hemisphere literally means half ball). On Earth it contains four continents (part of Africa, Oceania, most of South America, and Antarctica) and four oceans (South Atlantic... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

From 1 April 2007, the minimum annual leave is four weeks. April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

School holidays

New Zealand schools have a 4-term year, of about 10 weeks each and with 2 or 3 weeks' holidays between terms. Although standard term dates are set by the Ministry of Education each year, schools can vary these to account for local holidays and school closures due to weather. The first term generally commences in late January and finishes so that Easter is celebrated within the holidays between terms 1 and 2. The holiday between terms 2 and 3 is generally known as the midwinter break and occurs in July, while that between terms 3 and 4 occurs in late September and early October. Term 4 ends in mid December, generally a week or two before Christmas, though for many senior students this term ends after their final NCEA examinations in early December. ... NCEA can mean: National Certificate of Educational Achievement, New Zealand National Council for Educational Awards, Ireland National Conference on Ethics in America This page about a 4-letter acronym or initialism is a disambiguation page—a list of articles associated with the same title. ...

Primary and Intermediate schools

Term 1: Tuesday, 7 February to Thursday 13 April (96 half-days)
Term 2: Wendnesday, 26 April to Friday, 30 June (94 half-days)
Term 3: Monday, 17 July to Friday, 22 September (100 half-days)
Term 4: Monday, 9 October to Wednesday 20 December (104 half-days)*
*or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 394 half-days in 2006 February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 13 April is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... October 9 is the 282nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (283rd in Leap years). ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Secondary and composite schools

Term 1: Tuesday, 7 February to Thursday 13 April (96 half-days)
Term 2: Monday, 1 May to Friday 30 June (88 half-days)
Term 3: Monday, 17 July to Friday 22 September (100 half-days)
Term 4: Monday, 9 October to Thursday 14 December (96 half-days)*
*or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 380 half-days in 2006. February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 13 April is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... October 9 is the 282nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (283rd in Leap years). ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

External link

• Government Holidays Act webste