Planning ahead is vital for us parents. Especially when it comes to school holidays.
We need to know when to book our annual leave from work or organise a school holiday program.
If we’re lucky, we might be booking a holiday, in which case getting in early ensures the best price.
This school holiday calendar will help. We’ve included all the New Zealand school holidays as noted by the Ministry of Education.
Check with your local school if they have other days off planned.
When are the next school holidays?
The next school holidays are the July school holidays which run from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026 (includes Matariki 10 July).
School Holidays and Term Dates 2026
Term 1
Term dates:
Starts between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February, and ends Thursday 2 April 2026.
Public holidays:
Waitangi Day – Friday 6 February
School holidays:
The New Zealand April school holidays run from Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April 2026. Includes Good Friday – 3 April, Easter Monday – 6 April and Easter Tuesday – 7 April.
Term 2
Term dates
Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July 2026
Public holidays
Anzac Day – Saturday 25 April, observed Monday 27 April, and King’s Birthday – Monday 1 June
School holidays
The New Zealand July school holidays run from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026 (includes Matariki 10 July)
Term 3
Term dates
Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September 2026
Public holidays
None
School holidays
The New Zealand October school holidays run from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October 2026
Term 4
Term dates
Monday 12 October to no later than Friday 18 December 2026
Public holidays
Labour Day – Monday 26 October
School holidays
The New Zealand summer school holidays run for 5-6 weeks, from the school’s closing date until the opening date the following year.
School holidays NZ 2027
Term 1
Term dates:
Starts between Thursday 28 January and Wednesday 3 February, and ends Friday 9 April 2027
Public holidays:
Waitangi Day – Saturday 6 February, observed Monday 8 February, Good Friday – 26 March, Easter Monday – 29 March, Easter Tuesday – 30 March
School holidays:
Saturday 10 April to Monday 26 April 2027
Term 2
Term dates:
Tuesday 27 April to Friday 2 July 2027
Public holidays:
King’s Birthday – Monday 7 June, Matariki – Friday 25 June
School holidays:
Saturday 3 July to Sunday 18 July 2027
Term 3
Term dates:
Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September 2027
Public holidays:
None
School holidays:
Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October 2027
Term 4
Term dates:
Monday 11 October to no later than Friday 17 December 2027
Public holidays:
Labour Day – Monday 25 October
School holidays:
5-6 weeks, from the school’s closing day until the opening date the following year.
School Holidays – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the NZ school holidays for 2026?
April (Autumn) School Holidays: Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April 2026
July (Winter) School Holidays: Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026
October (Spring) School Holidays: Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October 2026
Summer Holidays: 5-6 weeks from the school’s closing day, which is no later than Friday 18 December 2026, until the opening date the following year.
How many weeks is a school term in NZ?
In New Zealand, a school term typically lasts for 10 weeks, but this can range from 9 to 11 weeks.
All dates sourced from the Ministry of Education