NZ school holidays 2026 & term dates
All 2026 school terms, autumn, winter, spring and summer holiday information, plus Easter Tuesday and school-specific date guidance.
| Break | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn / after Term 1 | Fri, 3 Apr 2026 | Sun, 19 Apr 2026 |
| Winter / after Term 2 | Sat, 4 Jul 2026 | Sun, 19 Jul 2026 |
| Spring / after Term 3 | Sat, 26 Sept 2026 | Sun, 11 Oct 2026 |
| Summer / after Term 4 | By Sat, 19 Dec 2026 | School-specific; confirm the following Term 1 start |
| Term | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Mon, 26 Jan 2026 – Mon, 9 Feb 2026 (school chooses) | Thu, 2 Apr 2026 |
| Term 2 | Mon, 20 Apr 2026 | Fri, 3 Jul 2026 |
| Term 3 | Mon, 20 Jul 2026 | Fri, 25 Sept 2026 |
| Term 4 | Mon, 12 Oct 2026 | No later than Fri, 18 Dec 2026 |
Summer is a date range
The listed summer start is the latest start, rather than a universal last day. Your school may finish earlier and choose its reopening date within the published Term 1 window.
January 2026 is also part of the previous summer break until your school reopens. Ask the school for its exact first day.
Easter Tuesday
Tue, 7 Apr 2026 is a school holiday. It is not a nationwide public holiday for all workers. A local anniversary may also fall on that date.
Other closures
Check your school notices for teacher-only days and its regional anniversary arrangements.
Keep work and school dates together
Check which school break days require care or annual leave. Share a calendar with other caregivers and confirm arrangements before booking activities.
Family holiday planning checklist →