New Zealand long weekends 2026

Every three-day weekend that New Zealand public holidays create in 2026, plus the bridge days that turn a mid-week holiday into a four- or five-day break. 8 long weekends need no leave at all; 0 more are one or two days of leave away.

4-day weekend Thu, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 4

New Year's Day (Thursday) Day after New Year's Day (Friday)

No leave needed.

3-day weekend Fri, Feb 6 – Sun, Feb 8

Waitangi Day (Friday)

Add Thursday, Feb 5 for a 4-day break.

4-day weekend Fri, Apr 3 – Mon, Apr 6

Good Friday (Friday) Easter Monday (Monday)

No leave needed.

3-day weekend Sat, Apr 25 – Mon, Apr 27

Anzac Day (Monday, observed)

Add Tuesday, Apr 28 for a 4-day break.

3-day weekend Sat, May 30 – Mon, Jun 1

King's Birthday (Monday)

Add Tuesday, Jun 2 for a 4-day break.

3-day weekend Fri, Jul 10 – Sun, Jul 12

Matariki (Friday)

Add Thursday, Jul 9 for a 4-day break.

3-day weekend Sat, Oct 24 – Mon, Oct 26

Labour Day (Monday)

Add Tuesday, Oct 27 for a 4-day break.

4-day weekend Fri, Dec 25 – Mon, Dec 28

Christmas Day (Friday) Boxing Day (Monday, observed)

No leave needed.

All public holidays in 2026 by weekday

Holiday	Date	Observed	Weekday	Weekend potential
New Year's Day	Jan 1	—	Thursday	Take Friday: 4 days
Day after New Year's Day	Jan 2	—	Friday	Fri–Sun, 3 days
Waitangi Day	Feb 6	—	Friday	Fri–Sun, 3 days
Good Friday	Apr 3	—	Friday	Fri–Sun, 3 days
Easter Monday	Apr 6	—	Monday	Sat–Mon, 3 days
Anzac Day	Apr 25	Apr 27	Monday	Sat–Mon, 3 days
King's Birthday	Jun 1	—	Monday	Sat–Mon, 3 days
Matariki	Jul 10	—	Friday	Fri–Sun, 3 days
Labour Day	Oct 26	—	Monday	Sat–Mon, 3 days
Christmas Day	Dec 25	—	Friday	Fri–Sun, 3 days
Boxing Day	Dec 26	Dec 28	Monday	Sat–Mon, 3 days

Long weekends by region

Regions add their own holidays, which can create extra long weekends. Each region page has its own planner:

Auckland Canterbury Chatham Islands Hawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson Otago South Canterbury Southland Taranaki Wellington Westland

Planning tips

The best value comes from holidays that fall on a Tuesday or Thursday: one day of leave buys a four-day break. A Wednesday holiday can anchor a nine-day vacation for three days of leave (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday). Book early — the days around Christmas and Easter are the most requested leave days of the year. Remember that observed dates, not actual dates, decide when offices close.

Frequently asked questions

How many long weekends are there in New Zealand in 2026?

8 of the 11 public holidays in 2026 fall on a Monday or Friday (or are observed on one), giving 8 long weekends of three days or more without taking any leave.

What is a bridge day?

A bridge day is a single day of leave taken between a holiday and a weekend — for example the Friday after a Thursday holiday — that turns a one-day holiday into a four-day break. The dates above show exactly which day to request.