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Public Holidays
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Public Holidays and ECE Funding
Understanding how public holidays affect your ECE centre's funding and operations is important for planning. New Zealand has 11 national public holidays plus one regional anniversary day, giving most regions 12 public holidays per year.
Funded Closure Days
All public holidays are funded closure days for ECE centres. This means your centre receives its usual government funding whether you are open or closed on these days. The Ministry of Education's funding calculations account for public holidays as non-operational days.
For centres that choose to close on public holidays, there is no impact on funding. Your regular funding continues as normal, and you do not need to make up the hours.
Operating on Public Holidays (Advance Days)
If your centre operates on a public holiday, the day is counted as an advance day toward your funding period. This means you are essentially delivering funded hours "ahead of schedule." Key points about operating on public holidays:
- Staff working on public holidays are entitled to time and a half pay
- Staff also get an alternative day off (or additional half-time pay if no alternative day is taken)
- Parents may still be charged their normal fees
- The day counts toward your funding period hours
What is Mondayisation?
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is "Mondayised" - meaning the holiday is observed on the following Monday. If another holiday already falls on that Monday, the second holiday moves to Tuesday.
For ECE centres, the observed date is what matters for funding and staffing purposes, not the actual date. If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the funded closure day is the following Monday.
Regional Anniversary Days
Each region of New Zealand has its own anniversary day holiday. ECE centres observe the anniversary day for the region where they are physically located (not the region where the business is registered or where staff live).
| Region | Anniversary Day | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Auckland Anniversary Day | Monday closest to 29 January |
| Wellington | Wellington Anniversary Day | Monday closest to 22 January |
| Canterbury | Canterbury Anniversary (Show Day) | Second Friday after first Tuesday in November |
| Otago | Otago Anniversary Day | Monday closest to 23 March |
| Southland | Southland Anniversary Day | Monday closest to 17 January |
| Taranaki | Taranaki Anniversary Day | Second Monday in March |
| Hawke's Bay | Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day | Friday before Labour Day |
| Marlborough | Marlborough Anniversary Day | Monday after Labour Day |
| Nelson | Nelson Anniversary Day | Monday closest to 1 February |
| West Coast | Westland Anniversary Day | Monday closest to 1 December |
| Chatham Islands | Chatham Islands Anniversary Day | Monday closest to 30 November |
2026 National Public Holidays
The following national public holidays apply throughout New Zealand:
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | Thursday | |
| Day after New Year's Day | 2 January | Friday | |
| Waitangi Day | 6 February | Friday | New Zealand's national day |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday | Date varies each year |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday | Date varies each year |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | Saturday | Observed Monday 27 April |
| King's Birthday | 1 June | Monday | First Monday in June |
| Matariki | 10 July | Friday | Maori New Year |
| Labour Day | 26 October | Monday | Fourth Monday in October |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday | |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday | Observed Monday 28 December |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still get funding if my centre is closed on a public holiday?
Yes. All public holidays are funded closure days. Your centre receives its usual government funding whether you are open or closed on these days. You do not need to make up the hours.
What pay do staff get if they work on a public holiday?
Staff working on a public holiday are entitled to at least time and a half (1.5x) their normal pay. They are also entitled to an alternative day off. If no alternative day is taken, they receive an additional half-time payment on top of the time and a half.
Which regional anniversary day does my centre observe?
Your centre observes the anniversary day for the region where it is physically located. If your centre is on the boundary between regions, check with Employment New Zealand or your local council to confirm which day applies to your specific address.
Can I charge parents for public holidays?
It depends on your enrolment agreement. Many centres include public holidays in their weekly fee structure and charge parents regardless of whether the centre is open. Check your enrolment agreement and ensure your fee policy is clearly communicated to families.
What is Matariki and when is it celebrated?
Matariki is the Maori New Year, celebrated when the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) rises in late June or early July. It became a public holiday in 2022. The date varies each year based on astronomical observation - in 2026 it falls on Friday 10 July. Matariki is always observed on a Friday.
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