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NZ School Holiday Dates 2025–2027 — Planning Guide

New Zealand has four school holiday breaks a year, and the Ministry of Education sets the term dates nationally, so every state school gets the same four breaks. Only small things differ between schools: when Term 1 starts, when Term 4 ends, teacher-only days, and private or integrated schools. This guide gives the official dates for 2025–2027, the Easter dates that move around them, and the public holidays that change what's open and what it costs.

By Benjamen Updated October 2026 10 min read
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Quick answer: NZ school holidays are national: the same April, July, late September–October and December–January breaks for every state school. 2026: 3–19 Apr, 4–19 Jul, 26 Sep–11 Oct, then summer from 19 Dec. 2027: 10–26 Apr, 3–18 Jul, 25 Sep–10 Oct, then summer from 18 Dec. Only the Term 1 start and Term 4 end vary a little by school. Easter moves: 5 Apr 2026, 28 Mar 2027. July = ski season peak; summer needs bookings 2–3 months ahead.

National School Holiday Blocks 2025–2027

New Zealand schools have four school holiday periods a year. The dates are set nationally by the Ministry of Education, so they are the same in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and everywhere else. The only variation is the Term 1 start (within a short window) and the Term 4 end, which individual schools confirm.
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. These are the official national dates. The Term 1 start and Term 4 end can vary a little by school, so confirm with your child's school.

2026 NZ School Term Dates

NZ schools run four terms a year. These are the 2026 term dates from the Ministry of Education. Term 1 starts anywhere from Mon 26 Jan to Mon 9 Feb depending on the school, and Term 4 ends no later than Fri 18 Dec. Confirm both with your school.

TermStartEnd
Term 1Wed 28 Jan (typical; schools start 26 Jan – 9 Feb)Thu 2 Apr 2026
Term 2Mon 20 Apr 2026Fri 3 Jul 2026
Term 3Mon 20 Jul 2026Fri 25 Sep 2026
Term 4Mon 12 Oct 2026Fri 18 Dec 2026 (latest)

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:

NZ School Holiday Dates 2025

HolidayDatesLength
Autumn (April)Sat 12 Apr 2025 – Sun 27 Apr 2025~2 weeks
Winter (July)Sat 28 Jun 2025 – Sun 13 Jul 2025~2 weeks
Spring (Sep–Oct)Sat 20 Sep 2025 – Sun 5 Oct 2025~2 weeks
Summer 2025/26Sat 20 Dec 2025 – Tue 27 Jan 2026~6 weeks

NZ School Holiday Dates 2026

HolidayDatesLength
Autumn (April)Fri 3 Apr 2026 – Sun 19 Apr 2026~2 weeks
Winter (July)Sat 4 Jul 2026 – Sun 19 Jul 2026~2 weeks
Spring (Sep–Oct)Sat 26 Sep 2026 – Sun 11 Oct 2026~2 weeks
Summer 2026/27Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Wed 27 Jan 2027~6 weeks

NZ School Holiday Dates 2027

HolidayDatesLength
Autumn (April)Sat 10 Apr 2027 – Mon 26 Apr 2027~2 weeks
Winter (July)Sat 3 Jul 2027 – Sun 18 Jul 2027~2 weeks
Spring (Sep–Oct)Sat 25 Sep 2027 – Sun 10 Oct 2027~2 weeks
Summer 2027/28Sat 18 Dec 2027 onwards (Term 1 2028 dates not yet confirmed)~6 weeks

Easter Dates (Moving Holiday) 2025–2027

Easter dates move every year. In 2025 and 2026 Easter falls inside the April school holidays. In 2027 Easter is early (28 March), so it falls in Term 1 and the long weekend comes about two weeks before the autumn break starts on 10 April.
YearEaster FridayEaster SundayEaster MondaySchool Implication
2025April 18April 20April 21Falls within the April school holidays
2026April 3April 5April 6Falls within the April school holidays
2027March 26March 28March 29Falls in Term 1, two weeks before the autumn break (10–26 Apr)

Teacher-Only Days (Non-Student Days)

Teacher-only days are days when teachers work but students stay home. Each school sets its own, usually around the start or end of a term, so the dates differ by school, not by region. Your school's calendar will list them. They are separate from the four national holiday breaks.

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.

Where to Confirm Your School's Dates

Check these before booking non-refundable travel:

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

Why Dates Can Differ Between Schools

New Zealand's term and holiday dates are national: the Ministry of Education sets them for all state schools, so there are no regional holiday zones. What can differ: - **Term 1 start:** a window rather than one date — 26 Jan to 9 Feb in 2026, and 28 Jan to 3 Feb in 2027, depending on the school - **Term 4 end:** 'no later than' Fri 18 Dec 2026 and Fri 17 Dec 2027; some schools finish a few days earlier - **Teacher-only days:** set by each school - **Private, integrated and kura schools:** may set their own dates, so check with yours Always confirm with your child's school before you book non-refundable travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do all NZ schools have the same holiday dates?
Yes, for state schools. The Ministry of Education sets the term and holiday dates nationally, so the four breaks (April, July, late September–October, December–January) are the same everywhere. Only the Term 1 start and Term 4 end can vary a little by school, and private or integrated schools may differ. Check your child's school before booking.
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: Sunday 5 April (Good Friday 3 April, Easter Monday 6 April), which falls inside the autumn school holidays. Easter 2027: Sunday 28 March (Good Friday 26 March, Easter Monday 29 March), which falls in Term 1, about two weeks before the autumn break starts on 10 April.
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. Each school sets its own teacher-only days, so check your school's calendar.
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 the national term dates. Individual schools sometimes add extra teacher-only days or term breaks.

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