New Zealand school holidays 2026
Next school holiday: Summer Holidays, 19 Dec 2026 (Sat) – 1 Feb 2027 (Mon) (45 days). Official Ministry of Education dates for state and state-integrated schools.
See 2026 school holiday dates
days until the next school holiday
Next school holiday in New Zealand
Summer Holidays begin on — 49 days away.
When does school start in New Zealand?
The 2027 school year begins on .
Email me when the next break is
No account needed. One-click unsubscribe in every email.
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).
Subscribing keeps this synced automatically if dates change — no need to re-download.
| Period | Dates | Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
Term 1TermTerm | Dates2 Feb 2026 (Mon) – 2 Apr 2026 (Thu) | Representative start. Schools choose Term 1 start between Mon 26 Jan and Mon 9 Feb 2026; Term 1 ends Thu 2 Apr for all. | Days60 |
Term 1 HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates3 Apr 2026 (Fri) – 19 Apr 2026 (Sun) | Includes Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Easter Tuesday (7 Apr), a statutory school holiday. | Days17 |
Term 2TermTerm | Dates20 Apr 2026 (Mon) – 3 Jul 2026 (Fri) | Days75 | |
Term 2 HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates4 Jul 2026 (Sat) – 19 Jul 2026 (Sun) | Days16 | |
Term 3TermTerm | Dates20 Jul 2026 (Mon) – 25 Sept 2026 (Fri) | Days68 | |
Term 3 HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates26 Sept 2026 (Sat) – 11 Oct 2026 (Sun) | Days16 | |
Term 4TermTerm | Dates12 Oct 2026 (Mon) – 18 Dec 2026 (Fri) | Term 4 must end no later than Fri 18 Dec 2026; some schools close earlier. | Days68 |
Summer HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates19 Dec 2026 (Sat) – 1 Feb 2027 (Mon) | Summer break runs from each school's closing date until its Term 1 opening the following year (typically 5–6 weeks). | Days45 |
More ways to plan your trips
Compare calendars with family abroad, or stretch leave into longer breaks.
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
Sky bars show school terms, and amber bars show school breaks across 2026.
School terms: Term 1, 2 Feb 2026 (Mon) – 2 Apr 2026 (Thu); Term 2, 20 Apr 2026 (Mon) – 3 Jul 2026 (Fri); Term 3, 20 Jul 2026 (Mon) – 25 Sept 2026 (Fri); Term 4, 12 Oct 2026 (Mon) – 18 Dec 2026 (Fri). School breaks: Term 1 Holidays, 3 Apr 2026 (Fri) – 19 Apr 2026 (Sun); Term 2 Holidays, 4 Jul 2026 (Sat) – 19 Jul 2026 (Sun); Term 3 Holidays, 26 Sept 2026 (Sat) – 11 Oct 2026 (Sun); Summer Holidays, 19 Dec 2026 (Sat) – 1 Feb 2027 (Mon)
- School terms
- School breaks
School holidays by year
FAQ
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.
What is the next school holiday in New Zealand?
The next school holiday in New Zealand is Summer Holidays, starting 19 Dec 2026 (Sat) (2026).
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 schools currently on holiday in New Zealand?
No. The next school holiday is Summer Holidays, starting 19 Dec 2026 (Sat).
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.
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.
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.
When does school start in New Zealand?
The 2027 Ministry of Education New Zealand school year begins on 1 Feb 2027 (Mon).
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.