2025 Holidays - New Zealand

New Zealand Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. Entitlement to Public Holidays

- Paid Day Off: Employees are entitled to a paid day off on a public holiday if it falls on a day they would normally work. Source

2. Working on Public Holidays

- Time-and-a-Half Pay: If an employee works on a public holiday that falls on a day they would normally work, they must be paid at least time-and-a-half for the hours worked. Source

- Alternative Holiday (Day in Lieu): In addition to the increased pay, the employee is entitled to an alternative holiday (also known as a 'day in lieu') to be taken at a later date. Source

3. Holidays Falling on Weekends (Mondayisation)

- Mondayisation: Certain public holidays are "Mondayised," meaning if they fall on a Saturday or Sunday and the employee does not normally work on those days, the holiday is observed on the following Monday (or Tuesday in some cases). This applies to New Year's Day, the day after New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Source

4. Transferring a Public Holiday

- By Agreement: Employers and employees can agree to transfer the observance of a public holiday to another working day. Such agreements should be made in good faith and documented appropriately. Source

5. Restricted Trading Days

- Shop Closures: On Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (until 1 pm), and Christmas Day, most shops must close unless they meet specific criteria. In 2016, the government gave local councils the authority to decide whether shops in their districts could open on Easter Sunday. Source

Employers and employees are encouraged to consult the Employment New Zealand website for detailed information and guidance on public holiday entitlements and obligations.