Southland holidays 2026
Southland has 12 public holidays in 2026: 11 public holidays and 1 Southland-specific holiday. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Public holidays observed in Southland
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Public holiday | — | |
| Jan 2 | Fri | Day after New Year's Day Public holiday | — | |
| Feb 6 | Fri | Waitangi Day Public holiday | — | |
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday Public holiday | — | |
| Apr 6 | Mon | Easter Monday Public holiday | — | |
| Apr 25 | Sat | Anzac Day Public holiday | Mon, Apr 27 | |
| Jun 1 | Mon | King's Birthday Public holiday | — | |
| Jul 10 | Fri | Matariki Public holiday | — | |
| Oct 26 | Mon | Labour Day Public holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day Public holiday | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Boxing Day Public holiday | Mon, Dec 28 |
Dates computed from the governing statutes and last verified October 3, 2026. Years beyond officially published schedules are projected from the rule that sets the date.
Holidays only in Southland
Public holidays in Southland that the rest of New Zealand does not share.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 7 | Tue | Southland Anniversary Day Provincial anniversary day | — | Southland region. |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday Observance | — | |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 6 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — |
Long weekends in Southland, 2026
What closes
Government offices, courts and most schools close on the public holidays above. Shops usually open with reduced hours, subject to local trading rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Southland have in 2026?
Southland has 12 public holidays in 2026: 11 public holidays plus 1 Southland-specific holiday (Southland Anniversary Day).
What is the next holiday in Southland?
The next holiday in Southland is Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, 2026 (53 days away).
Are Southland holidays the same as the rest of New Zealand?
Mostly. Southland observes the public holidays shared across New Zealand, plus its own: Southland Anniversary Day. Other regions have different regional days, so check the page for the region you need.