How notice and deadline roles are counted
- Notice (backward): Event/hearing date is excluded; notice deadline is included.
- Deadline (forward): Action/service date is excluded; deadline/event date is included.
- The calculator shows these include/exclude flags on the timeline, exports, and analysis rows.
Māori New Year
Matariki: Aotearoa's Mid-Winter Public Holiday
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •First Observed: 24 June 2022
- •Legislation: Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022
- •Date Range: Falls between late June and mid-July (set until 2052)
- •Key Point: A unique Māori New Year celebration, now an official public holiday
What Is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori New Year, celebrated when the Matariki star cluster reappears in the winter sky. It became an official public holiday in 2022, guaranteeing employees a paid day off (or an alternative holiday if they must work). Unlike other public holidays, Matariki doesn't have a fixed date. Instead, the Act legislates specific dates through 2052, with a process to set future dates by Order in Council.
Why It Matters
Matariki is always observed on a Friday, giving many New Zealanders a long weekend in winter. This extra rest day can boost morale, let families spend time together, and encourage local celebrations of Māori culture.
Calculator Tip
The Working Days Calculator automatically excludes Matariki when you select a date range that includes it—no manual calculations needed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Matariki is based on the lunar calendar and the appearance of the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades). The dates vary each year and are determined by astronomical observations and cultural considerations. The Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 sets specific dates through 2052.
The Matariki public holiday date is determined by the Matariki Advisory Committee, which includes experts in mātauranga Māori, astronomy, and maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). The committee recommends dates based on when the Matariki star cluster rises in the mid-winter period.
While the public holiday date is the same nationwide, cultural celebrations may vary by region and iwi. Some regions have their own traditions for celebrating Matariki, and local events may be held on different days around the official holiday.
Public Holidays
How New Zealand Public Holiday Dates Are Determined
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •Purpose: Explains how NZ public holiday dates are determined
- •Legislative Basis: Holidays Act 2003 and related legislation
- •Key Point: Most statutory holidays have fixed rules, while regional anniversaries vary by province
- •Calculator Insight: These rules are programmatically implemented for accurate date calculations
Understanding Holiday Date Rules
New Zealand's public holidays follow specific rules set by legislation. These rules determine when each holiday occurs and how they're observed. Understanding these rules helps with planning and calculating working days accurately.
Statutory Public Holidays
These nationwide holidays apply to all of New Zealand and are determined by the following rules:
| Holiday Name | Rule for Determination | Notes on Observation |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1st | Mondayised. If Jan 1st is a Saturday, observed on Monday. If Jan 1st is a Sunday, observed on Tuesday (due to Day after New Year's taking Monday). |
| Day after New Year's Day | January 2nd | Mondayised. If Jan 2nd is a Saturday, observed on Monday. If Jan 2nd is a Sunday, observed on Tuesday. Can be "Tuesdayised" if Jan 1st was Mondayised. |
| Waitangi Day | February 6th | Mondayised since 2014. If Feb 6th is a Saturday or Sunday, observed on the following Monday. |
| Good Friday | Friday before Easter Sunday | Date varies annually based on ecclesiastical rules (first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox). |
| Easter Monday | Monday after Easter Sunday | Date varies annually based on Easter Sunday date. |
| ANZAC Day | April 25th | Mondayised since 2014. If Apr 25th is a Saturday or Sunday, observed on the following Monday. |
| King's Birthday | First Monday in June | Always falls on a Monday. Was Queen's Birthday from 1952-2022. |
| Matariki | Varies annually (late June/early July) | Based on the Māori lunar calendar, specifically the rising of the Matariki star cluster. Dates are set by the government and known up to 2052. |
| Labour Day | Fourth Monday in October | Always falls on a Monday. |
| Christmas Day | December 25th | Mondayised. If Dec 25th is a Saturday, observed on Monday. If Dec 25th is a Sunday, observed on Tuesday (due to Boxing Day taking Monday). |
| Boxing Day | December 26th | Mondayised. If Dec 26th is a Saturday, observed on Monday. If Dec 26th is a Sunday, observed on Tuesday. Can be "Tuesdayised" if Dec 25th was Mondayised. |
Regional Anniversary Days
Each region in New Zealand celebrates its own anniversary day, typically commemorating a significant historical event. These are observed as public holidays only within the specific region:
| Region Name (Code) | Rule for Determination |
|---|---|
| Auckland (AUK) | Closest Monday to January 29th |
| Canterbury (CAN) | Second Friday after the first Tuesday in November (Show Day) |
| Chatham Islands (CIT) | Closest Monday to November 30th |
| Hawke's Bay (HKB) | Friday before Labour Day |
| Marlborough (MBH) | First Monday after Labour Day |
| Nelson (NSN) | Closest Monday to February 1st |
| Otago (OTA) | Closest Monday to March 23rd (if this falls on Easter Monday, observed on Tuesday) |
| South Canterbury (STC) | Fourth Monday in September (Dominion Day) |
| Southland (STL) | Easter Tuesday (since 2012) |
| Taranaki (TKI) | Second Monday in March |
| Wellington (WGN) | Closest Monday to January 22nd |
| Westland (WTC) | Closest Monday to December 1st |
Mondayisation Explained
"Mondayisation" ensures that employees who don't normally work weekends still get the benefit of public holidays that fall on weekends. When certain holidays (Waitangi Day, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and the day after New Year's Day) fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they are observed on the following Monday or Tuesday for those who don't normally work weekends.
For more details on Mondayisation, see our dedicated section.
Calculator Implementation
The Working Day Calculator uses these rules to programmatically determine holiday dates for any given year. This ensures accurate calculations for both past and future dates (with the exception of Matariki dates beyond 2052, which will be added once officially announced).
Frequently Asked Questions
Some holidays like Easter are based on lunar calendars and change annually. Others like King's Birthday are set to specific days of the week (e.g., first Monday in June) rather than fixed calendar dates. Regional anniversaries often use rules like 'closest Monday to a historical date' to create long weekends.
When Waitangi Day, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, or the day after New Year's Day fall on a weekend, they are 'Mondayised' (observed on the following Monday or Tuesday) for employees who don't normally work weekends. The calculator automatically applies these rules.
Most holiday dates can be calculated years in advance because they follow fixed rules. The exception is Matariki, which is based on the Māori lunar calendar and officially announced by the government. Currently, Matariki dates are known up to 2052.
Regional Observances
Regional Anniversary Days in New Zealand
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •Purpose: Celebrates key historical events in each region
- •Legislative Basis: Holidays Act 2003, Section 44
- •Dates Vary: Each region has its own holiday date and rules
- •Key Point: Observed as a public holiday in the relevant region only
What Are Regional Anniversary Days?
These are local public holidays that mark important milestones—such as the arrival of early settlers or the founding of a province. If you live or work in that region, you usually get the day off if it's a normal working day.
Examples
Here are just a few prominent examples. Check the full table for specific dates:
- Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau): Closest Monday to 29 January
- Canterbury (Waitaha): Second Friday after the first Tuesday in November
- Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara): Closest Monday to 22 January
Legislative Framework
Under the Holidays Act 2003, these dates are part of the 11 annual public holidays for employees. If the anniversary falls on a weekend and an employee doesn't usually work weekends, the "observed day" may shift to a weekday.
Calculator Tip
In the Working Days Calculator, you can select your region (or multiple regions) from a dropdown. The corresponding anniversary date (or dates) will be automatically excluded from the working-day count, ensuring accuracy for multi-region projects or deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you typically only get the anniversary day for the region where you work. If your workplace operates across multiple regions, your employer may choose which regional anniversary to observe, or may allow different days for employees in different locations.
Regional anniversary days follow similar rules to other public holidays. If the anniversary falls on a weekend and you don't normally work weekends, it will typically be observed on the following Monday or another nearby weekday.
Many regional anniversaries are observed on the Monday or Friday closest to the actual historical date, rather than on the fixed date itself. This ensures workers get a long weekend, which is more practical for both employees and employers.
Holiday Rules
Mondayisation of New Zealand Public Holidays
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •Applies To: Waitangi Day, ANZAC Day, Christmas/New Year Holidays
- •Why: Ensures employees who don't work weekends still get a holiday off
- •Effect: Holiday moves to Monday (or Tuesday) if the actual date is on a Saturday or Sunday
- •Key Point: Weekend workers still observe the holiday on the actual date
What Is Mondayisation?
"Mondayisation" means that if a public holiday (like Waitangi Day or ANZAC Day) falls on a Saturday or Sunday—and an employee doesn't normally work weekends—they get the following Monday off instead. Weekend workers still observe the holiday on the actual date.
Key Examples
- Waitangi Day (6 Feb): If 6 Feb is a Sunday, non-weekend workers observe it on Monday, 7 Feb.
- ANZAC Day (25 Apr): If 25 Apr is a Saturday, non-weekend workers get Monday, 27 Apr off.
Why It Matters
- Fairness: Everyone gets the same number of public holidays
- Clear Planning: Businesses can easily schedule staff coverage
Calculator Tip
The Working Days Calculator automatically applies Mondayisation to these holidays. Enter your date range, and the tool excludes the correct Monday, so you don't have to manually figure out shifted holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Waitangi Day (6 February), ANZAC Day (25 April), Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December), New Year's Day (1 January), and the day after New Year's Day (2 January) are all Mondayised if they fall on a weekend.
If you normally work on the weekend, you observe the public holiday on the actual calendar date. For example, if Waitangi Day (6 February) falls on a Saturday and you normally work Saturdays, then Saturday is your public holiday. If you don't work weekends, you'll get the following Monday off instead.
When Boxing Day (26 December) or the day after New Year's Day (2 January) falls on a Monday because the previous day's holiday has been Mondayised, it gets 'Tuesdayised' to Tuesday. This ensures you still get both holidays as separate days off.
Seasonal Closures
Summer Shutdown Period in New Zealand
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •Common Dates: Late December to early/mid-January
- •ADLS Shutdown: 24 Dec – 5 Jan
- •Legislative Shutdown: 25 Dec – 2 Jan
- •Courts Rules: 25 Dec – 15 Jan
- •RMA Shutdown: 20 Dec - 10 Jan
- •Key Point: Different sectors observe different shutdown periods
What Is the Summer Shutdown?
Many businesses and institutions in New Zealand close (or run minimal staff) over Christmas and New Year. This can be an industry tradition (like construction) or legally recognised (like courts). During this period, deadlines might be paused, and statutory holidays are observed.
Common Shutdown Periods
- ADLS (24 Dec – 5 Jan): Used in certain legal transactions (like property settlements).
- Legislative (25 Dec – 2 Jan): Covers the primary public holidays and is the default shutdown period for legislative timeframes.
- Courts Rules (25 Dec – 15 Jan): The most extensive break—important for court filings and legal deadlines.
- RMA (20 Dec – 10 Jan): Specific period defined in the Resource Management Act 1991. See the RMA Working Days section for details.
Calculator Tip
In the Working Days Calculator, simply choose which shutdown period (if any) applies to your situation. The calculator will exclude those dates automatically from your working-day totals—ideal for setting realistic deadlines and planning workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your industry and the nature of your work. Legal professionals typically follow ADLS (24 Dec – 5 Jan) for property settlements. Court filings follow Courts Rules (25 Dec – 15 Jan). Resource Management Act processes use the RMA period (20 Dec - 10 Jan). For general business, the Legislative shutdown (25 Dec – 2 Jan) covers the main statutory holidays.
Some shutdown periods are legally recognised (like the Courts Rules period), while others are industry conventions (like the ADLS period). Many businesses choose to close during these periods because it's practical, as clients and suppliers are often closed too. However, unless specified in employment agreements, employers generally can't force employees to take leave during shutdown periods without proper notice.
If a deadline falls within a recognised shutdown period, it typically extends to the first working day after the shutdown ends. For example, if a court filing deadline falls on January 10, during the Courts Rules shutdown (25 Dec – 15 Jan), the effective deadline becomes January 16 (assuming it's a working day).
Summer Holidays
Christmas and New Year Holidays in New Zealand
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •Christmas Day: 25 Dec (Mondayised if on a weekend)
- •Boxing Day: 26 Dec (Tuesdayised if Christmas is Mondayised)
- •New Year's Day: 1 Jan (Mondayised if on a weekend)
- •Day After New Year's: 2 Jan (Tuesdayised if 1 Jan is Mondayised)
- •Key Point: Four public holidays in close succession
What Are the Christmas and New Year Holidays?
New Zealanders enjoy a block of four public holidays spanning late December and early January. These days provide a summer break for many people to spend time with family, go on holiday, or simply relax in the sunshine.
Mondayisation Details
When any of these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they shift to Monday (and sometimes Tuesday). This ensures that all workers—weekday or weekend—get an official day off.
Business Impact
The Christmas/New Year period represents the most significant concentration of public holidays in the New Zealand calendar. Many businesses choose to close completely during this time, as it can be impractical to operate with limited staff or when suppliers and clients are also closed.
Calculator Tip
The Working Days Calculator handles these moves behind the scenes. Just input your date range, and the correct Mondayised (or Tuesdayised) holiday dates are excluded automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
If Christmas Day (25 December) falls on a Saturday or Sunday, employees who don't normally work weekends will observe the holiday on the following Monday (27 December). Boxing Day (26 December) would then be observed on Tuesday (28 December). Weekend workers still observe the holidays on their actual dates.
When Boxing Day (26 December) would fall on a Monday but Christmas Day has been Mondayised, Boxing Day gets 'Tuesdayised' to Tuesday. Similarly, if New Year's Day is Mondayised, the day after New Year's Day (2 January) moves to Tuesday. This ensures employees don't lose a holiday when two consecutive holidays fall on a weekend.
Yes, under the Holidays Act 2003, if you work on a public holiday, you're entitled to be paid at least time-and-a-half for the hours worked. You're also entitled to an alternative holiday (a day in lieu) if the public holiday falls on a day you would normally work.
Date Counting Rules
To Include or to not Include? That is the Question
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •Statutory scope: Section 54 of the Legislation Act 2019 applies only to New Zealand legislation
- •Contractual relevance: Section 54 is a useful tool to reference for contracts with similar wording
- •Core rule: Start dates typically excluded with 'after/from', included with 'at/on/with'
- •Core rule: End dates typically included with 'by/on/at/with', excluded with 'before'
- •Calculator compatibility: Include/exclude toggles align with Section 54 rules
What is Section 54?
Section 54 of the Legislation Act 2019 contains a table of rules that determines whether the first and/or last day count when legislation uses common time-trigger words like "within," "after," "before," "from," and "by." While the section applies only to legislation, courts and lawyers routinely use it as a reference when interpreting contracts that use identical wording but don't specify their own counting method.
Key Rules
| Position | Include that day? | Typical wording |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Yes | at, on, with |
| No | after, from | |
| Finish | Yes | by, on, at, with |
| No | before |
Examples
| Wording in statute/contract | First day counted? | Last day counted? | Worked example |
|---|---|---|---|
| "within 5 working days after notice" | Notice Mon 1 Apr → Day 1 = Tue 2 Apr → Deadline Mon 8 Apr | ||
| "no later than 10 working days from settlement" | Settlement Fri 3 May → Day 1 = Mon 6 May → Deadline Fri 17 May | ||
| "on or with 7 working days" | Clock starts immediately on the trigger date | ||
| "give notice 3 working days before the meeting" | Notice Mon → Tue = Day 1 → Wed 2 → Thu 3 → Meeting Fri |
Why It Matters
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Everyone reads the same table, reducing deadline disputes |
| Drafting shorthand | You can rely on the defaults instead of spelling them out |
| Legal acceptance | The section is a useful reference when interpreting identical words in private agreements |
| Calculator ready | The Working Day Calculator can match the table exactly, giving users confidence that the result aligns with both statute and common drafting practice |
Calculator Tip
The Working Day Calculator includes checkboxes that let you control whether start and end dates are included in the count, matching Section 54's rules:
- Include start date checkbox: When unchecked (default), this mirrors the "after/from" logic in Section 54, excluding the first day from the count. When checked, it follows the "at/on/with" logic, including the first day.
- Include end date checkbox: When checked, this follows the "by/on/at/with" logic in Section 54, including the last day in the count. When unchecked, it mirrors the "before" logic, excluding the last day.
- Default settings: The calculator sets these checkboxes based on the calculation mode:
- Deadline Mode (Forward): Start date excluded, End date included
- Deadline Mode (Backward): Both dates excluded
- Difference Mode: Both dates excluded
- For "clear days" notice: Uncheck both "Include start date" and "Include end date" checkboxes to exclude both the day of notice and the day of the event.
These options give you precise control to match your contract's wording, ensuring accurate calculations that align with Section 54's interpretation rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
No—its table is only mandatory for legislation. However, it is a useful tool when a contract uses the same language and gives no contrary direction. You can override the defaults by stating your intention explicitly in your contract.
For '[x] working days' notice, exclude both the day you serve/give notice and the meeting/deadline date. In the calculator, uncheck both 'Include start date' and 'Include end date' checkboxes. For example, if you email on Monday 1 July, Day 1 = Tuesday 2 July, making the earliest meeting date Tuesday 9 July (for 7 working days).
The calculator's checkboxes directly implement Section 54's counting rules. Unchecking 'Include start date' mirrors the 'after/from' logic (excluding the first day). Checking 'Include end date' mirrors the 'by/on/at/with' logic (including the last day), while unchecking it mirrors the 'before' logic (excluding the last day).
Resource Management Act
RMA Working Days Explained
Last reviewed: November 2025
At-a-Glance
- •Applies To: Resource Management Act 1991 deadlines
- •Exclusion Period: 20 December to 10 January (inclusive)
- •Regional Anniversaries: Not excluded under RMA definition
- •Key Point: Use the 'RMA' shutdown option in the calculator
Understanding RMA "Working Days"
Calculating deadlines under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 requires understanding its specific definition of a "working day". Miscalculating RMA deadlines can lead to lapsed consents, invalid submissions, or missed appeal periods. Unlike standard calculations or other legal contexts (like ADLS or Court Rules), the RMA has a unique and longer Christmas/New Year exclusion period, making accurate calculation essential for compliance.
The RMA Exclusion Period
According to Section 2(1) of the RMA, a "working day" excludes:
- Saturdays and Sundays
- All statutory public holidays (Waitangi Day, ANZAC Day, etc.)
- The period starting on 20 December in one year and ending on 10 January in the following year (meaning both these dates, and all days between, are *not* working days).
Crucially, the RMA definition does not exclude regional anniversary days. This differs from other common summer shutdown periods used in NZ. See the Summer Shutdown Period section for details on ADLS, Legislative, and Courts Rules periods.
Calculator Tip
To accurately calculate RMA deadlines using this tool, select the "RMA" option from the "Shutdown Period" dropdown. This ensures the correct exclusion period (20 Dec to 10 Jan inclusive) is applied. Remember to set the region to "No Anniversary" unless a specific statutory holiday coincides with an anniversary day relevant to the calculation timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Section 2(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991 defines a working day as any day except weekends, statutory public holidays, and the period from 20 December to 10 January (inclusive). It specifically excludes regional anniversary days.
The longer exclusion period (20 Dec - 10 Jan) in the RMA reflects the typical summer holiday period when councils and many related professional services operate at reduced capacity, allowing more realistic timeframes for processes like submissions and consent processing.
Select the 'RMA' option from the 'Shutdown Period' dropdown. The calculator will then automatically exclude weekends, statutory holidays, and the 20 Dec - 10 Jan period from the working day count.