School Holidays and Term Dates 2023
| TERM 1 | |
| Term dates | Between Monday 30 January and Tuesday 7 February and Thursday 6 April |
| Public holidays | Waitangi Day Monday 6 February, and Easter: Good Friday, Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday |
| School holidays | Friday 7 April to Sunday 23 April (includes Good Friday – 7 April, Easter Monday – 10 April and Easter Tuesday – 11 April (a school holiday) |
| TERM 2 | |
| Term dates | Monday 24 April to Friday 30 June |
| Public holidays | Anzac Day – Tuesday 25 April and King’s Birthday – Monday 5 June |
| School holidays | Saturday 1 July to Sunday 16 July (includes Matariki 14 July) |
| TERM 3 | |
| Term dates | Monday 17 July to Friday 22 September (100 half-days) |
| Public holidays | None |
| School holidays | Saturday 23 September to Sunday 8 October |
| TERM 4 | |
| Term dates | Starts Monday 9 October, and ends no later than Wednesday 20 December (up to 104 half-days)* |
| Public holidays |
Labour Day – Monday 23 October, Christmas Day – Monday 25 December, Boxing Day – Tuesday 26 December and New Year’s Day – Monday 1 January 2024
|
| School holidays | 5-6 weeks (from the school’s closing day until the opening date the following year). |
You’ll find a full guide to New Zealand term dates and school holiday dates in our guide.
For many New Zealand families, school holidays are a time to slow down, relax and reconnect.
With the break from busy school days, there’s more time to spend together as a family and make memories.
Here’s why school holidays are such a special time for families.
More Time for Connection
During the school term, it can be hard to find quality time to connect as a family.
Between work, school and extracurricular activities, the days can feel like they’re just flying by.
School holidays offer a chance to slow down and really connect with your kids.
Whether it’s cooking together, going on adventures or just spending some extra time talking and laughing, those meaningful moments are sure to be cherished long after the holidays are over.
Making Memories
With everyone’s schedule a little more relaxed during the holidays, there’s more opportunity to do things as a family and create lasting memories.
Whether it’s going on day trips to new places or simply enjoying some quality time at home, making memories is one of the best parts of school holidays.
And who knows, maybe your kids will even remember some of those special moments when they’re grown up and have families of their own!
A Break from the Busyness of School Days
For kids (and parents!), school can be pretty full-on.
There’s homework to worry about, tests to study for and maintaining friendships.
School holidays provide a much-needed break from all that stress and pressure.
It’s a chance for kids to recharge their batteries and come back refreshed and ready to take on whatever challenges the new school term might bring.
School holidays are a wonderful time for families to connect, make memories and take a break from the busyness of everyday life.
So enjoy this precious time with your loved ones and make the most of every moment!
