Public holidays

New Zealand recognises eleven national public holidays: New Year's Day, Day after New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, King's Birthday, Matariki, Labour Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. These are statutory days on which most employees are entitled to paid leave and do not work, unless their employment agreement or industry agreement specifies otherwise. Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to receive payment at their ordinary rate plus a loading, or an alternative day off in lieu, depending on their employment terms and applicable collective agreements.

The Public Holidays Act 2011 governs public holidays in New Zealand and is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), with guidance provided through Employment New Zealand. The Act establishes which days are recognised as public holidays nationwide and sets out the entitlements and obligations for employers and employees.

Matariki, the Māori New Year, was added as a public holiday effective 28 June 2022, becoming the most recent statutory addition to the calendar. This reflected growing recognition of Māori cultural observance within New Zealand's employment framework.

Employers must ensure payroll systems accurately record and process public holiday entitlements for all employees. Where an employee works on a public holiday, employers must calculate and pay the appropriate loading or provide compensatory time off. Employment agreements should clearly outline how public holidays are treated, particularly for shift workers, contractors, and those in industries with continuous operations. Compliance requires tracking which employees are entitled to paid leave on each public holiday and maintaining records of any alternative arrangements agreed with staff.