NZ School Holidays: School Holiday Dates & Calendar
Find clear information about New Zealand school holidays, term dates, and holiday periods. Plan ahead with simple details for students, parents, and families.
When Are NZ School Holidays?
New Zealand schools have four main holiday periods during the school year. These breaks happen after Terms 1, 2, and 3, followed by the summer holidays.
Exact dates change each year, so check the relevant year for accurate holiday dates. Individual schools can also have different start and finish dates.
NZ School Holiday Dates
New Zealand schools have four main holiday periods during the school year. These breaks help divide the school year into four terms. The exact dates change each year.
How the NZ School Holiday Calendar Works
Students have a holiday after Terms 1, 2, and 3. The longest break comes after Term 4. This is the summer holiday period.
Term 1 School Holidays
The first school holiday comes after Term 1. It usually falls around April and lasts about two weeks.
Term 2 School Holidays
The second school holiday follows Term 2. It usually takes place around July and lasts about two weeks.
Term 3 School Holidays
The third break comes after Term 3. It usually falls around September or October.
Summer School Holidays
The summer holidays begin after Term 4. This is the longest school break of the year.
| School Holiday | Usual Time | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 holidays | April | About 2 weeks |
| Term 2 holidays | July | About 2 weeks |
| Term 3 holidays | September or October | About 2 weeks |
| Summer holidays | December to January or February | 5 or 6 weeks |
Important: These are the main holiday periods. Exact dates depend on the school year. Some schools can also have different opening and closing dates.
NZ School Holidays 2026 and 2027
School holiday dates change each year. Use the correct calendar when planning travel, childcare, or family activities. The dates below cover the main holiday periods for 2026 and 2027.
NZ School Holidays 2026
2026| Holiday Period | Start Date | End Date | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Holidays | Saturday 3 April 2026 | Sunday 19 April 2026 | About 2 weeks |
| Term 2 Holidays | Saturday 4 July 2026 | Sunday 19 July 2026 | About 2 weeks |
| Term 3 Holidays | Saturday 26 September 2026 | Sunday 11 October 2026 | About 2 weeks |
| Summer Holidays | From Saturday 19 December 2026 | 5 or 6 weeks | Varies by school |
2026: The summer holidays start no later than Saturday 19 December. Individual schools can finish earlier.
NZ School Holidays 2027
2027| Holiday Period | Start Date | End Date | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Holidays | Saturday 10 April 2027 | Monday 26 April 2027 | About 2 weeks |
| Term 2 Holidays | Saturday 3 July 2027 | Sunday 18 July 2027 | About 2 weeks |
| Term 3 Holidays | Saturday 25 September 2027 | Sunday 10 October 2027 | About 2 weeks |
| Summer Holidays | From Saturday 18 December 2027 | 5 or 6 weeks | Varies by school |
2027: The summer holidays start no later than Saturday 18 December. Individual schools can finish earlier.
2026 vs 2027 NZ School Holidays
Both years follow the same four-term structure. However, the exact holiday dates change from year to year.
3 April to 19 April 2026.
10 April to 26 April 2027.
4 July to 19 July 2026.
3 July to 18 July 2027.
Understanding NZ School Holidays
Understanding the New Zealand school calendar makes planning easier. School terms, holiday breaks, and school-specific dates all play a role.
How Many School Holidays Are There in NZ?
New Zealand schools have four main holiday periods during the school year. Three breaks come after Terms 1, 2, and 3. The summer holidays follow Term 4.
Term 1 Holidays
The first main school break comes after Term 1. It usually takes place around April.
Term 2 Holidays
The second break follows Term 2. It usually takes place around July.
Term 3 Holidays
The third break follows Term 3. It usually falls around September or October.
Summer Holidays
The longest break begins after Term 4. Summer holidays last for five or six weeks.
How Long Are NZ School Holidays?
The first three school holiday breaks usually last about two weeks. The summer holidays are longer and last five or six weeks.
The exact dates change each year. School opening and closing dates can also vary between schools.
Important: Check the calendar for the correct year before making travel or childcare plans.
When Are the Next NZ School Holidays?
The next school holiday depends on the current date and school year. New Zealand has three shorter breaks and one longer summer holiday each year.
Use the relevant annual calendar to find the next exact holiday period. The dates for 2026 and 2027 are listed earlier on this page.
When Does the NZ School Year Start?
The New Zealand school year begins with Term 1. Schools can choose their exact opening date within the official requirements.
This means students at different schools may return on different dates. Your school’s calendar gives the most relevant starting date.
For example: In 2027, Term 1 can start between Thursday 28 January and Wednesday 3 February. Schools choose their own start date within this range.
When Does the NZ School Year Finish?
The school year finishes when Term 4 ends. The summer school holidays begin after the final school day.
Schools can choose their Term 4 closing date within the official requirements. They must still meet the required number of school days.
For 2027: Term 4 starts on Monday 11 October. Schools must finish the school year no later than Friday 17 December.
Are School Holidays the Same Across New Zealand?
The main holiday periods follow national requirements for state and state-integrated schools. Some dates can still differ between individual schools.
Term 1 has flexibility around its starting date. Term 4 also has flexibility around its finishing date. Private schools can follow different arrangements.
Why Do NZ Schools Have Different Term Dates?
Schools must meet national requirements for teaching time. Some flexibility helps schools organise their annual calendar.
- Term 1 schools can start on different dates.
- Term 4 schools can finish on different dates.
- Schools must meet the required number of school days.
- Teacher-only days can affect the school calendar.
- Private schools may use different term dates.
Why Check Your School’s Calendar?
National school holiday dates provide a useful planning guide. Your school may publish different opening, closing, or teacher-only dates.
Check the school calendar before booking travel or arranging childcare. This helps you plan around the dates that apply to your child.
NZ School Terms, Public Holidays and Planning
School terms and public holidays are important parts of the New Zealand school calendar. Understanding them helps families plan school days, holidays, travel, and childcare.
NZ School Terms and Holidays
The New Zealand school year has four main terms. Students have a holiday after Terms 1, 2, and 3. The longer summer break follows Term 4.
Term 1 begins the school year and ends before the first holiday break.
Term 2 follows the first school holiday and runs through the middle of the year.
Term 3 follows the July break and ends before the spring holiday.
Term 4 finishes the school year before the summer holidays begin.
How School Terms Connect With Holidays
The first three terms each end before a school holiday. The final term leads into the summer holidays. Official term dates can vary slightly at individual schools.
School Holidays vs Public Holidays
School holidays and public holidays are different types of holidays. School holidays form part of the education calendar. Public holidays apply under New Zealand’s public holiday laws.
School Holidays
These are scheduled breaks between school terms. They give students time away from regular classes.
Public Holidays
These are statutory holidays recognised across New Zealand. They can occur during a school term or school holiday.
Public Holidays During NZ School Holidays
Some public holidays can fall within a school holiday period. Easter can overlap with the April school break.
This means families may have several non-school days close together. Always check both calendars when planning around a holiday period.
Teacher-Only Days
Teacher-only days are separate from the main school holiday periods. Schools can use these days for teacher professional development and other activities.
Students usually do not attend regular classes on a teacher-only day. Each school should publish these dates in its own calendar.
Why Teacher-Only Days Matter
A teacher-only day can create an extra day without regular classes. Parents should check these dates when arranging childcare or family plans.
Planning Around NZ School Holidays
School holiday dates can help families organise important plans in advance. A clear calendar makes travel, childcare, and activities easier to arrange.
- Check the correct school holiday calendar for the year.
- Check your school’s own opening and closing dates.
- Look for teacher-only days before arranging childcare.
- Check public holidays near each school holiday period.
- Allow extra time when planning popular travel dates.
Why School Calendars Can Differ
National school dates provide the main framework for the school year. Individual schools can have some flexibility with certain dates.
Term 1 can have different starting dates between schools. Term 4 can also have different finishing dates. Private schools may use different term and holiday arrangements.
Check Your School’s Calendar
Use national dates as a general guide. Then check your school’s calendar for the dates that apply to your child.
Frequently Asked Questions About NZ School Holidays
Find quick answers to common questions about New Zealand school holidays, school terms, and holiday dates.
How many school holidays are there in New Zealand?
New Zealand has four main school holiday periods each year. Three breaks follow Terms 1, 2, and 3. The summer holidays follow Term 4.
How long are NZ school holidays?
The first three school holiday breaks usually last about two weeks. The summer holidays last for five or six weeks.
When are the NZ school holidays?
School holidays occur after Terms 1, 2, and 3. The summer break starts after Term 4. Exact dates change each year.
Are school holidays the same across New Zealand?
The main holiday periods follow national requirements for state and state-integrated schools. Some opening and closing dates can vary between schools.
Do private schools have the same school holidays?
Private schools can use different term dates and holiday arrangements. Check your school’s own calendar for accurate dates.
When do the NZ summer holidays start?
The summer holidays begin after Term 4 finishes. The exact start date can vary between schools.
Why do some NZ schools have different dates?
Schools have some flexibility around Term 1 opening and Term 4 closing dates. They must still meet the required teaching time.
Are teacher-only days part of school holidays?
No. Teacher-only days are separate from the main school holiday periods. Schools may close for students on these days.
Can public holidays fall during school holidays?
Yes. Public holidays can occur during school terms or school holiday periods. Easter can overlap with the April school break.
Where can I check official NZ school holiday dates?
The Ministry of Education publishes official school term and holiday information. Your school’s calendar can provide additional dates.
About NZ School Holiday Information
School term and holiday dates can change from one year to another. This page separates general information from year-specific dates.
National dates provide a useful guide for planning. Individual schools can publish their own opening, closing, and teacher-only dates.
Official Sources
Use the official sources below when you need to confirm New Zealand school and public holiday information.
Last Updated: August 31, 2026
Check official sources for the latest dates before making important plans.
Plan Ahead With the Right School Holiday Dates
Use the correct year when checking school holidays. Always confirm important dates with your school’s own calendar.