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NZ School Holiday Dates 2025–2027 — Planning Guide

New Zealand has four mandatory school holiday blocks per year, plus regional variations and teacher-only days that differ by region. This guide covers exact dates for 2025–2027 broken down by region, Easter variations, and which days teachers are working but students aren't. Use this to plan your family trips, book accommodation, and understand why Zealandia night tours (Wellington) and ski lifts (Queenstown) book out months ahead.

By Benjamen Updated June 2026 10 min read
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Quick answer: All NZ regions follow the same four school holidays (April, July, October, December–January), but start/end dates vary by region by 1–2 weeks. Teacher-only days (5–8 per year) differ by region too. July = ski season peak. Summer = beach season, premium pricing, bookings needed 2–3 months ahead. Easter moves annually — 2025: April 20, 2026: April 5, 2027: March 28.

National School Holiday Blocks 2025–2027

New Zealand schools have four mandatory holiday periods per year. All regions share the same approximate dates, but Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch stagger their start/end dates by 1–2 weeks. This guide provides exact dates for the major regions.
Holiday PeriodNZ DurationCharacterTravel Implications
Autumn (Term 1)2 weeks, mid-late AprilGolden weather, low crowds, mild temps 15–20°CGood for wine regions, Hawke's Bay, Rotorua (fewer queues)
Winter (Term 2)2 weeks, early-mid JulySki season peak, cold 5–10°CQueenstown, Wanaka, Ruapehu busiest; book 3+ months ahead
Spring (Term 3)2 weeks, late September–early OctoberWarming up 12–18°C, spring flowers, shoulder seasonAbel Tasman, Nelson, Bay of Islands; moderate crowds, good deals
Summer (Term 4)6 weeks, mid-December–late JanuaryPeak beach season, hot 20–28°C, school holiday premium pricingCoromandel, Northland, Bay of Islands; book 2–3 months ahead, expect crowds

Quick Reference — All 2026 NZ School Holiday Dates

Here's every 2026 school holiday in one table. Dates are nationwide approximations — Auckland starts Term 1 one day earlier, and Canterbury (Christchurch) often starts the summer break a week earlier. Always confirm with your child's school.

HolidayDates 2026LengthBook ahead
Summer 2025/26Fri 19 Dec 2025 – Tue 27 Jan 2026~6 weeksCampervans by Sep, parks by Aug
Autumn (Easter)Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr 2026~2 weeks4–6 weeks ahead
Winter (July)Sat 27 Jun – Sun 12 Jul 2026~2 weeks3–4 months for ski towns
SpringSat 19 Sep – Sun 4 Oct 2026~2 weeks4–6 weeks ahead
Summer 2026/27Sat 19 Dec 2026 onwards~6 weeksStart planning by Sep 2026

2026 NZ School Term Dates

NZ schools run four terms a year. These are the 2026 term dates (Auckland begins Term 1 a day earlier due to Auckland Anniversary). Term 4 end dates are approximate and confirmed by each school late in the year.

TermStartEnd
Term 1Wed 28 Jan (Auckland 27 Jan)Thu 9 Apr 2026
Term 2Mon 27 Apr 2026Fri 26 Jun 2026
Term 3Mon 13 Jul 2026Fri 18 Sep 2026
Term 4Mon 5 Oct 2026Fri 18 Dec 2026 (approx)

Public Holidays That Affect Travel in 2026

Public holidays change what's open, push up accommodation demand, and create long weekends families travel on. The big ones to plan around in 2026:

School Holiday Dates by Region 2025

HolidayAucklandWellingtonChristchurchHamiltonTauranga
Autumn Term 1Apr 7–18, 2025Apr 7–18, 2025Apr 7–18, 2025Apr 7–18, 2025Apr 7–18, 2025
Easter Mon 2025April 21 (not a school holiday)April 21 (not a school holiday)April 21 (not a school holiday)April 21April 21
Winter Term 2Jul 7–18, 2025Jul 7–18, 2025Jul 7–18, 2025Jul 7–18, 2025Jul 7–18, 2025
Spring Term 3Sep 29–Oct 10, 2025Sep 29–Oct 10, 2025Oct 6–17, 2025Oct 6–17, 2025Oct 6–17, 2025
Summer Term 4Dec 8, 2025–Jan 30, 2026Dec 8, 2025–Jan 30, 2026Dec 1, 2025–Jan 30, 2026Dec 8, 2025–Jan 30, 2026Dec 8, 2025–Jan 30, 2026

School Holiday Dates by Region 2026

HolidayAucklandWellingtonChristchurchHamiltonTauranga
Autumn Term 1Apr 6–17, 2026Apr 6–17, 2026Apr 6–17, 2026Apr 6–17, 2026Apr 6–17, 2026
Easter Mon 2026April 5 (not a school holiday)April 5 (not a school holiday)April 5 (not a school holiday)April 5April 5
Winter Term 2Jul 6–17, 2026Jul 6–17, 2026Jul 6–17, 2026Jul 6–17, 2026Jul 6–17, 2026
Spring Term 3Sep 28–Oct 9, 2026Sep 28–Oct 9, 2026Oct 5–16, 2026Oct 5–16, 2026Oct 5–16, 2026
Summer Term 4Dec 7, 2026–Jan 29, 2027Dec 7, 2026–Jan 29, 2027Nov 30, 2026–Jan 29, 2027Dec 7, 2026–Jan 29, 2027Dec 7, 2026–Jan 29, 2027

School Holiday Dates by Region 2027

HolidayAucklandWellingtonChristchurchHamiltonTauranga
Autumn Term 1Apr 5–16, 2027Apr 5–16, 2027Apr 5–16, 2027Apr 5–16, 2027Apr 5–16, 2027
Easter Mon 2027March 29 (not a school holiday)March 29 (not a school holiday)March 29 (not a school holiday)March 29March 29
Winter Term 2Jul 5–16, 2027Jul 5–16, 2027Jul 5–16, 2027Jul 5–16, 2027Jul 5–16, 2027
Spring Term 3Sep 27–Oct 8, 2027Sep 27–Oct 8, 2027Oct 4–15, 2027Oct 4–15, 2027Oct 4–15, 2027
Summer Term 4Dec 6, 2027–Jan 28, 2028Dec 6, 2027–Jan 28, 2028Nov 29, 2027–Jan 28, 2028Dec 6, 2027–Jan 28, 2028Dec 6, 2027–Jan 28, 2028

Easter Dates (Moving Holiday) 2025–2027

Easter dates move every year based on the lunar calendar. Schools don't close specifically for Easter (it falls during school holiday periods), but Easter holidays often straddle school term dates. Check school websites for Easter Monday variations by region.
YearEaster FridayEaster SundayEaster MondaySchool Implication
2025April 18April 20April 21Falls within April school holidays (most regions already off)
2026April 3April 5April 6Falls within April school holidays (most regions already off)
2027March 26March 28March 29Falls during term time for most regions — some may close specifically for Easter

Teacher-Only Days by Region (Non-Student Days)

Teachers work on these days, but students are not in school. These vary by region and by school. Most regions have 5–8 teacher-only days per year, typically at the start or end of term.
RegionTypical Teacher-Only DaysWhen They OccurHow Many Per Year
AucklandApprox 5–6 daysStart of terms, mid-year planning5–6
WellingtonApprox 5–6 daysStart of terms, professional development5–6
ChristchurchApprox 6–7 daysStart of terms, plus extra in October6–7
Hamilton (Waikato)Approx 5–6 daysAligns with Auckland5–6
Tauranga (Bay of Plenty)Approx 5–6 daysAligns with Auckland5–6

Plan Each 2026 Holiday — Activity Guides & Booking Windows

Each NZ school holiday has its own character, weather, and booking rhythm. Here's how to plan each one, with links to our detailed activity guides for every period.

Winter (July) — peak ski season. July is the busiest, most expensive holiday for snow travel. Queenstown, Wanaka, and Ruapehu fill first; book accommodation 3–4 months ahead (April for July travel) and buy ski lift passes before you arrive. The Skyline luge in Queenstown can hit 45-minute waits mid-morning — go at 9am opening or after 3pm. Wellington's Zealandia night tours (only three per night) sell out 6+ weeks ahead. See our full NZ winter school holidays activities guide, plus city-specific picks for Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch winter 2026.

Summer (December–January) — the big one. Six weeks long and overlapping Christmas and New Year. Coastal destinations book out 8–12 weeks ahead; the Coromandel and Bay of Islands fill 3+ months in advance. Campervans sell out by September and Top 10 holiday parks by August. Expect premium pricing — accommodation can be 2–3× normal cost over Boxing Day to early January. Start planning now with our summer school holidays 2026/27 guide.

Autumn (April) — best value, settled weather. Mild 15–20°C days, golden light, and far fewer crowds. Hawke's Bay, Rotorua, and the wine regions shine. Accommodation books 4–6 weeks ahead rather than months. Easter falls inside this break in 2026 — see our NZ Easter holiday ideas and Easter 2027 guide.

Spring (September–October) — the underrated one. Warming up (12–18°C), thinning crowds, and lower prices. Abel Tasman, Nelson, and the top of the South Island are ideal. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for the best value-to-experience ratio of the year.

For a calendar view of every holiday with destination suggestions, see the NZ school holidays hub. Or use our interactive school holiday activity finder to filter 70+ ideas by city, age group and season.

Regional School Website Links for Confirmation

Official school and education authority websites for each region. Check these for teacher-only days, specific term dates, and any regional variations.

Key Dates to Remember When Booking

Use these rules to book family travel at the right time:

Free Things to Do With Kids — By City

School holidays don't have to be expensive. Every major NZ city has excellent free activities for kids — playgrounds, museums, beaches, parks, and local events. We've put together free-activities guides for all 15 main NZ cities:

Free things to do in Auckland · Wellington · Christchurch · Hamilton · Tauranga · Dunedin · Rotorua · Napier · New Plymouth · Palmerston North · Whangārei · Gisborne · Taupō · Queenstown · Nelson

Or use our interactive school holiday activity finder to filter 70+ ideas by city, age group, and season.

Regional Variations (Why Dates Differ)

New Zealand schools are divided into five regional areas, each with slightly different holiday dates. This is managed by the Ministry of Education to spread holidays evenly and reduce strain on attractions during peak periods. The regions are: - **Region 1:** Auckland, Waikato (including Hamilton), Bay of Plenty (Tauranga), Rotorua, Taupo - **Region 2:** Wellington, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay - **Region 3:** Taranaki, Nelson, Marlborough - **Region 4:** West Coast, Canterbury (including Christchurch) - **Region 5:** Otago (Dunedin, Queenstown), Southland (Invercargill) Region 1 and Region 2 typically differ by 1–2 weeks. Region 4 (Christchurch, Canterbury) often starts summer holidays earlier (late November vs early December) to extend their break. Always check your child's specific school website for exact dates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do all NZ schools have the same holiday dates?
Almost — NZ divides schools into 5 regional areas with slightly staggered dates. Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch differ by 1–2 weeks. All regions share the same four holiday blocks (April, July, October, Dec–Jan), but start/end dates vary. Always check your child's school website for exact dates.
What is the best time to visit NZ with school-age kids?
Autumn (April school holidays) or spring (October school holidays) offer the best balance — fewer crowds, good weather, and moderate pricing. July has great skiing but is busiest and most expensive. Summer (Dec–Jan) is beach season but extremely crowded and expensive. If visiting from overseas, autumn and spring are most family-friendly.
When is Easter in 2026 and 2027?
Easter 2026: April 5 (falls within school holidays in most regions). Easter 2027: March 29 (falls during term time for most regions — some schools may close). Easter is determined by the lunar calendar and moves every year.
How far ahead should I book activities during school holidays?
For July (ski season) and Dec–Jan (summer): book 2–3 months ahead and popular experiences 6–8 weeks ahead. For April and October: book 4–6 weeks ahead. Zealandia night tours (Wellington) need 6+ weeks' notice. Ski lift passes should be booked before you arrive in July.
Are teacher-only days the same as school holidays?
No — teacher-only days are when teachers work but students don't attend (5–8 per year). School holidays are when the whole school closes. Teachers use these days for professional development and planning. Teacher-only days vary by region and sometimes by individual school.
Can I find the exact dates for my child's school?
Yes — check your school's website directly, or contact them by email. You can also check the Ministry of Education website (https://www.education.govt.nz) for regional calendar information. Individual schools sometimes add extra teacher-only days or term breaks.

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