Summary
Four terms in 2026: Term 1 starts late January/early February, with autumn holidays in April, winter holidays in July (including Matariki on 10 July), spring holidays in September, and Term 4 ending in December
Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationally — all NZ state schools observe the same dates; Term 1 start and Term 4 end dates have a small window of flexibility, so check with your child’s school directly
Matariki falls in the winter school holidays — the Matariki public holiday is on Thursday 10 July 2026, which falls within the Term 2 winter break, meaning no extra day off school for most families
New Zealand schools follow a four-term calendar set by the Ministry of Education. Terms 2 and 3 have fixed nationwide dates, while Term 1 start dates and Term 4 end dates have some flexibility — individual schools choose their exact dates within a set window. This means your child’s school may start or finish a day or two earlier or later than the dates below.
Here are the official 2026 school term dates and holiday periods for New Zealand state and state-integrated schools.
2026 school term dates — New Zealand
| Term / Holiday | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Between 26 January and 9 February – 2 April 2026 | Exact start varies by school. Check with your school for their specific date. |
| Autumn holidays | 3 April – 19 April 2026 | Includes Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr) and Easter Tuesday (7 Apr — a school holiday) |
| Term 2 | 20 April – 3 July 2026 | Fixed nationally. Includes Anzac Day (observed Monday 27 April) and King’s Birthday (Monday 1 June) |
| Winter holidays | 4 July – 19 July 2026 | Includes Matariki — Friday 10 July 2026 |
| Term 3 | 20 July – 25 September 2026 | Fixed nationally |
| Spring holidays | 26 September – 11 October 2026 | |
| Term 4 | 12 October – no later than 18 December 2026 | Exact end date varies by school. Includes Labour Day (Monday 26 October) |
| Summer holidays | From 19 December 2026 – 5 to 6 weeks | Ends when your school reopens in late January or early February 2027 |
Sourced from the New Zealand Ministry of Education — School terms and holidays dates. State and state-integrated schools only; private schools may vary.
Public holidays during the 2026 school year
| Date | Holiday | During |
|---|---|---|
| 6 February (Friday) | Waitangi Day | Term 1 |
| 3 April (Friday) | Good Friday | Autumn holidays |
| 6 April (Monday) | Easter Monday | Autumn holidays |
| 7 April (Tuesday) | Easter Tuesday | Autumn holidays (school holiday) |
| 27 April (Monday) | Anzac Day observed | Term 2 |
| 1 June (Monday) | King’s Birthday | Term 2 |
| 10 July (Friday) | Matariki | Winter holidays |
| 26 October (Monday) | Labour Day | Term 4 |
Note on Anzac Day: Anzac Day falls on Saturday 25 April in 2026. The observed public holiday is Monday 27 April.
Note on Matariki: Matariki falls on Friday 10 July in 2026, during the winter school holidays — so it does not create an additional school holiday this year.
Regional anniversary days
In addition to national public holidays, each New Zealand region observes its own anniversary day. These are regional public holidays and may affect school closures in that area. Key anniversary days during school terms include:
| Region | Anniversary Day | When |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Monday 26 January 2026 | Just before Term 1 starts |
| Wellington | Monday 19 January 2026 | Summer holidays |
| Northland | Monday 26 January 2026 | Summer holidays |
| Nelson | Monday 1 February 2026 | Before Term 1 |
| Otago | Monday 23 March 2026 | Term 1 |
| Southland | Tuesday 17 March 2026 | Term 1 |
| Taranaki | Monday 16 March 2026 | Term 1 |
| Hawke’s Bay | Friday 16 October 2026 | Term 4 |
| Marlborough | Monday 26 October 2026 | Term 4 |
| Canterbury | Friday 13 November 2026 | Term 4 |
| Westland | Monday 30 November 2026 | Term 4 |
| Chatham Islands | Friday 30 November 2026 | Term 4 |
Regional anniversary days are public holidays for that region only. Always check with your local school or council for exact dates.
Key things to know about NZ school holidays
Term 1 start date varies by school. The Ministry of Education sets a window — between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February — but individual schools choose their own start date within this range. Check directly with your child’s school for their 2026 Term 1 start date.
Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationally. All state and state-integrated schools start Term 2 on Monday 20 April and Term 3 on Monday 20 July.
Easter Tuesday is a school holiday in NZ. Unlike Australia, New Zealand schools close for Easter Tuesday (7 April 2026) as part of the autumn holiday break.
Matariki — Māori New Year. Matariki is a public holiday unique to New Zealand. In 2026, it falls on Friday 10 July — during the winter school holidays. It is celebrated as a day of reflection and new beginnings. For many New Zealand families, particularly Māori communities, Matariki is an important cultural occasion when families gather and send gifts and money to relatives.
Summer break is 5 to 6 weeks. The summer holiday begins when Term 4 ends (no later than 18 December 2026) and runs until the school reopens in late January or early February 2027 — depending on when each school chooses to start.
Private schools may vary. The dates in this guide apply to state and state-integrated schools. Private schools set their own calendars and may differ by a few days or have additional holiday periods.
School holidays and international money transfers
School holiday periods — particularly Easter, the winter break, and the Christmas/summer holidays — are popular times for New Zealand families to travel or stay connected with family overseas.
Around public holidays, bank processing times for international money transfers can occasionally be slower if both the sending and receiving country observe public holidays on the same days. To avoid delays:
- Send transfers a day or two before a long weekend or public holiday where possible
- Check estimated delivery times before confirming your transfer
- Mobile wallet transfers are typically less affected by public holiday processing delays than bank deposit transfers
For a full list of New Zealand public holidays in 2026, see: Public Holidays 2026: Australia and New Zealand
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
When does Term 1 start in New Zealand in 2026?
The Ministry of Education sets a window of Monday 26 January to Monday 9 February for Term 1 to begin. The exact date depends on each individual school. Check directly with your child’s school for their confirmed start date.
When do NZ schools go back after the summer holidays in 2026?
Most New Zealand state schools go back for Term 1 between 26 January and 9 February 2026. The exact date varies by school.
When is the winter school holiday in New Zealand 2026?
The winter school holidays run from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026. Matariki (Friday 10 July) falls during this break.
When is Matariki in 2026?
Matariki falls on Friday 10 July 2026. It is a national public holiday — and in 2026 it falls during the winter school holidays, so it does not create an additional day off school.
Are school holidays the same across all of New Zealand?
Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationally — all state schools have the same dates. Term 1 and Term 4 dates can vary by school within a set window. Regional anniversary days also vary by region.
When do New Zealand schools finish for Christmas 2026?
All state schools must close no later than Friday 18 December 2026. The exact final day of Term 4 varies by school.
When do New Zealand schools go back in 2027?
The Term 1 2027 window is between Thursday 28 January and Wednesday 3 February. Your school will confirm their exact return date.
Send money home during NZ school holidays
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School term dates are sourced from the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Dates apply to state and state-integrated schools. Individual schools have flexibility on Term 1 start and Term 4 end dates within set windows — always confirm with your school directly. Regional anniversary days vary by council area. Last updated June 2026.
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Education — School terms and holidays dates
