New Zealand School Holidays & Term Dates
Next school holiday: Term 3 Holidays — 26 Sept 2026 (Sat) – 11 Oct 2026 (Sun) (16 days). Official Ministry of Education dates for state and state-integrated schools.
See 2026 school holiday dates55
days until the next school holiday
2026 calendar
New Zealand state and state-integrated schools run four terms in 2026. Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationwide; schools choose Term 1 start (26 Jan–9 Feb) and Term 4 end (no later than 18 Dec).
| Period | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
Term 1Term Representative start. Schools choose Term 1 start between Mon 26 Jan and Mon 9 Feb 2026; Term 1 ends Thu 2 Apr for all. | 2 Feb 2026 (Mon) – 2 Apr 2026 (Thu) | 60 |
Term 1 HolidaysBreak | 3 Apr 2026 (Fri) – 19 Apr 2026 (Sun) | 17 |
Term 2Term | 20 Apr 2026 (Mon) – 3 Jul 2026 (Fri) | 75 |
Term 2 HolidaysBreak | 4 Jul 2026 (Sat) – 19 Jul 2026 (Sun) | 16 |
Term 3Term | 20 Jul 2026 (Mon) – 25 Sept 2026 (Fri) | 68 |
Term 3 HolidaysBreak | 26 Sept 2026 (Sat) – 11 Oct 2026 (Sun) | 16 |
Term 4Term Term 4 must end no later than Fri 18 Dec 2026; some schools close earlier. | 12 Oct 2026 (Mon) – 18 Dec 2026 (Fri) | 68 |
Summer HolidaysBreak Summer break runs from each school's closing date until its Term 1 opening the following year (typically 5–6 weeks). | 19 Dec 2026 (Sat) – 1 Feb 2027 (Mon) | 45 |
At a glance
- School days
- 271
- Holiday days
- 94
- Terms
- 4
- Longest break
- 45d
- Shortest break
- 16d
- Avg break
- 23.5d
Summer Holidays
Term 2 Holidays
Year timeline
- Term 1· 60d
- Term 1 Holidays· 17d
- Term 2· 75d
- Term 2 Holidays· 16d
- Term 3· 68d
- Term 3 Holidays· 16d
- Term 4· 68d
- Summer Holidays· 45d
Browse years
FAQ
When are the next New Zealand school holidays?
New Zealand state schools typically have four term breaks each year — after Terms 1, 2 and 3, plus a longer summer holiday after Term 4. The New Zealand hub countdown shows the next upcoming break; year pages list every term and holiday with exact dates.
Are TermBreaks dates the official New Zealand school holidays?
Yes. Dates are taken from the Ministry of Education school terms and holidays calendar for state schools, kura and state-integrated schools. Every page cites the official source and last verified date.
Do all New Zealand schools start and finish on the same day?
Not exactly. Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationwide. Schools choose Term 1 start within a Ministry window and must end Term 4 by a published latest date. Private schools and early childhood services can differ.
How many New Zealand school holiday blocks are there each year?
Typically four: Term 1 holidays (often around Easter), Term 2 / winter holidays, Term 3 / spring holidays, and summer holidays after Term 4 into the new year.
Why do NZ schools have different Term 1 start dates?
The Ministry sets a window for Term 1 start and a latest Term 4 end date so schools can meet half-day opening requirements and local needs. Terms 2 and 3 stay the same for all state and state-integrated schools.
Where can I verify New Zealand school holiday dates?
Cross-check the Ministry of Education calendar at https://www.education.govt.nz/school/school-terms-and-holiday-dates. TermBreaks links sources and last-verified dates on every calendar page and on the methodology page.
When are the Term 1 Holidays in New Zealand 2026?
The Term 1 Holidays run from Friday, 3 April 2026 to Sunday, 19 April 2026 (17 days).
When are the Term 2 Holidays in New Zealand 2026?
The Term 2 Holidays run from Saturday, 4 July 2026 to Sunday, 19 July 2026 (16 days).
When are the Term 3 Holidays in New Zealand 2026?
The Term 3 Holidays run from Saturday, 26 September 2026 to Sunday, 11 October 2026 (16 days).
When are the Summer Holidays in New Zealand 2026?
The Summer Holidays run from Saturday, 19 December 2026 to Monday, 1 February 2027 (45 days). Summer break runs from each school's closing date until its Term 1 opening the following year (typically 5–6 weeks).
When does Term 1 start in New Zealand 2026?
On TermBreaks, Term 1 is shown as Monday, 2 February 2026 to Thursday, 2 April 2026 (60 days). Representative start. Schools choose Term 1 start between Mon 26 Jan and Mon 9 Feb 2026; Term 1 ends Thu 2 Apr for all.
When does the 2026 New Zealand school year end?
Term 4 is shown ending on Friday, 18 December 2026. Term 4 must end no later than Fri 18 Dec 2026; some schools close earlier.