Paid holiday in New Zealand (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Employees in New Zealand are entitled to at least 4 weeks of paid annual holidays after 12 months of continuous employment. They can claim up to 12 public holidays a year, and a public holiday during annual leave is not deducted from it.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum paid leave a year (weeks)Full-time employee4 weeks [1]
Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employeeAt least 4 weeks of paid annual holidays after each 12 months of continuous employment. The entitlement is counted in the employee's own working weeks, so an employee working 5 days a week can take 20 days and one working 3 days can take 12 days. [1]
National public holidays a yearFull-time employee12 days [2]
Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employeeNot counted as leave days [3]

Notes

  • Entitlement arises after 12 months of continuous employment and is repeated for each 12 months after. A Holidays Act replacement (the Employment Leave Act) is due to start in August 2028.
  • Maximum entitlement per employee in a year. It includes one regional anniversary day; the nationwide public holidays are fewer.
  • A public holiday that falls during annual holidays on an otherwise working day is not deducted from the annual holidays.

Sources

  1. Employment New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): Managing annual holidays (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Employment New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): Public holidays rights for employees (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Employment New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): Taking annual holidays (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.