NZ School Holidays 2025, 2026 & 2027

New Zealand has four school holidays each year — Autumn, Winter, Spring, and the big Summer break. Below you'll find exact term dates, how many days each holiday lasts, and where families actually go (plus when to book).

Auckland note: Auckland Anniversary: Auckland schools start 28 Jan (1 day earlier for Term 1).

2025 Term Dates

Term 1

2025-01-29 – 2025-04-11

10 weeks

Term 2

2025-04-28 – 2025-06-27

9 weeks

Term 3

2025-07-14 – 2025-09-19

10 weeks

Term 4

2025-10-06 – 2025-12-19

11 weeks

2025 School Holidays

Peak Book 3+ months ahead

Busy Book 4–6 weeks ahead

Moderate 2–3 weeks usually fine

Quieter Most flexible

🍂

Autumn Holidays 2025

2025-04-12 – 2025-04-27 · 16 days

Busy …

Two weeks over Easter — book early. Queenstown and Rotorua fill fast.

Best for: Queenstown Rotorua Taupo Coromandel

❄️

Winter Holidays 2025

2025-06-28 – 2025-07-13 · 16 days

Moderate …

Ski season at its peak. Wanaka, Queenstown, and Ruapehu are best. Budget options inland.

Best for: Queenstown Wanaka Ruapehu

🌸

Spring Holidays 2025

2025-09-20 – 2025-10-05 · 16 days

Quieter …

Most underrated school holiday. Weather warming, crowds thin, prices lower. Great time to explore South Island.

Best for: Nelson Marlborough Abel Tasman Christchurch

☀️

Summer Holidays 2025

2025-12-20 – 2026-01-27 · 39 days

Peak …

6 weeks — the big one. Book 3+ months ahead. Campervans sell out by September.

Best for: Bay of Islands Coromandel Auckland Northland Nelson

Auckland note: Auckland Anniversary: Auckland schools start 27 Jan (1 day earlier for Term 1).

2026 Term Dates

Term 1

2026-01-28 – 2026-04-09

10 weeks

Term 2

2026-04-27 – 2026-06-26

9 weeks

Term 3

2026-07-13 – 2026-09-18

10 weeks

Term 4

2026-10-05 – 2026-12-18

11 weeks

2026 School Holidays

Peak Book 3+ months ahead

Busy Book 4–6 weeks ahead

Moderate 2–3 weeks usually fine

Quieter Most flexible

🍂

Autumn Holidays 2026

2026-04-10 – 2026-04-26 · 17 days

Busy …

Easter falls mid-holidays in 2026 — expect peak pricing. Rotorua and Queenstown will be heaving.

Best for: Rotorua Taupo Hawke's Bay Wanaka

❄️

Winter Holidays 2026

2026-06-27 – 2026-07-12 · 16 days

Moderate …

Great ski holiday. Cardrona and Treble Cone near Wanaka offer a quieter alternative to Queenstown.

Best for: Queenstown Wanaka Ruapehu

🌸

Spring Holidays 2026

2026-09-19 – 2026-10-04 · 16 days

Quieter …

Whale watching in Kaikōura peaks in spring. Nelson and Marlborough Sounds are superb with kids.

Best for: Kaikōura Nelson Wellington Christchurch

☀️

Summer Holidays 2026

2026-12-19 – 2027-01-27 · 40 days

Peak …

Book campervans by August at the latest. Northland, Coromandel and Bay of Islands are the top picks for families.

Best for: Bay of Islands Northland Coromandel Marlborough

Auckland note: Auckland Anniversary: Auckland schools start 26 Jan (1 day earlier for Term 1).

2027 Term Dates

Term 1

2027-01-27 – 2027-04-01

9 weeks

Term 2

2027-04-19 – 2027-06-25

10 weeks

Term 3

2027-07-12 – 2027-09-17

10 weeks

Term 4

2027-10-04 – 2027-12-17

11 weeks

2027 School Holidays

Peak Book 3+ months ahead

Busy Book 4–6 weeks ahead

Moderate 2–3 weeks usually fine

Quieter Most flexible

🍂

Autumn Holidays 2027

2027-04-02 – 2027-04-18 · 17 days

Busy …

Good autumn break for South Island — cooler temperatures perfect for walking and exploring.

Best for: Queenstown Fiordland Wanaka Dunedin

❄️

Winter Holidays 2027

2027-06-26 – 2027-07-11 · 16 days

Moderate …

Skifields open mid-June typically. Week 2 of winter holidays usually has the best snow base.

Best for: Queenstown Wanaka Ruapehu Hanmer Springs

🌸

Spring Holidays 2027

2027-09-18 – 2027-10-03 · 16 days

Quieter …

October is a gem — shoulder season pricing, school holiday-free and warm enough for beaches in the north.

Best for: Northland Auckland Coromandel Bay of Islands

☀️

Summer Holidays 2027

2027-12-18 – 2028-01-26 · 40 days

Peak …

Book everything by September 2027. Christmas week is the most expensive — consider travelling 26 Dec or later.

Best for: Bay of Islands Coromandel Nelson Marlborough

🗓️ When to Book — NZ School Holiday Travel

Campervans: Book 6–9 months ahead for Summer holidays. January and the week before Christmas go first.
TOP 10 Holiday Parks: Coromandel, Bay of Islands, and Kaikōura book out 3–6 months ahead for Summer.
Queenstown accommodation: Fills for Winter and Autumn holidays within 4–8 weeks of opening.
Ski lessons: Book ski school in Queenstown and Wanaka as soon as July term is confirmed — lesson slots go fast.
Best value timing: First and last week of Summer holidays are cheapest. Mid-January is peak pricing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most NZ schools go back Wednesday 28 January 2026 for Term 1. Auckland schools start a day earlier on Tuesday 27 January due to Auckland Anniversary Day. Always confirm with your specific school as exact dates can vary.

New Zealand has four school holiday periods per year: Autumn (2 weeks, April), Winter (2 weeks, July), Spring (2 weeks, September/October), and Summer (6 weeks, December/January). Total school holiday time is around 12 weeks per year.

The Ministry of Education sets national term dates but individual schools can vary by a few days. Auckland schools start one day earlier in Term 1 due to Auckland Anniversary Day. Private schools may differ further. Always check directly with your school.

Summer (December–January) is the most popular but most expensive and crowded. Spring holidays (September/October) are the best-kept secret — warm enough in the North Island, cheaper accommodation, and significantly fewer crowds. Autumn is ideal for the South Island and ski pre-season deals.

For Summer holidays, book campervans and popular accommodation by August–September of the same year. For Autumn and Winter holidays, 6–8 weeks ahead is usually fine for most destinations. School holiday periods in Queenstown and Rotorua fill fastest.

Yes significantly, especially at TOP 10 holiday parks near beaches. The Coromandel, Bay of Islands, and Marlborough Sounds holiday parks fill completely during Summer and Autumn holidays. Book online as soon as dates open — often 6–12 months ahead for peak sites.

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