Term 1
–
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.
New Zealand School Holidays 2026: Term Dates
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).
Source: Ministry of Education New ZealandLast verified
Next New Zealand school holiday
49 days away
The next 2026 school holiday is Summer Holidays, from 19 Dec 2026 to 1 Feb 2027 — 49 days away.
2026 school holiday dates
| Holiday | Start | End | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Holidays Includes Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Easter Tuesday (7 Apr), a statutory school holiday. | Start | End | Duration17 days |
| Term 2 Holidays | Start | End | Duration16 days |
| Term 3 Holidays | Start | End | Duration16 days |
| Summer Holidays Summer break runs from each school's closing date until its Term 1 opening the following year (typically 5–6 weeks). | Start | End | Duration45 days |
2026 school term dates
Term 2
–
75 days
Term 3
–
68 days
Term 4
–
68 days
Term 4 must end no later than Fri 18 Dec 2026; some schools close earlier.
School holiday periods
Term 1 Holidays school holidays 2026
Term 1 Holidays runs from 3 Apr 2026 (Fri) – 19 Apr 2026 (Sun) (17 days inclusive). The Term 1 Holidays end on 19 Apr 2026 (Sun). Term 2 begins and schools reopen on 20 Apr 2026 (Mon).
Term 2 Holidays school holidays 2026
Term 2 Holidays runs from 4 Jul 2026 (Sat) – 19 Jul 2026 (Sun) (16 days inclusive). The Term 2 Holidays end on 19 Jul 2026 (Sun). Term 3 begins and schools reopen on 20 Jul 2026 (Mon).
Term 3 Holidays school holidays 2026
Term 3 Holidays runs from 26 Sept 2026 (Sat) – 11 Oct 2026 (Sun) (16 days inclusive). The Term 3 Holidays end on 11 Oct 2026 (Sun). Term 4 begins and schools reopen on 12 Oct 2026 (Mon).
Summer Holidays school holidays 2026
Summer Holidays runs from 19 Dec 2026 (Sat) – 1 Feb 2027 (Mon) (45 days inclusive).
New Zealand school start and reopening dates in 2026
- School year starts
- After the Term 1 Holidays
- Schools reopen (Term 2 begins)
- After the Term 2 Holidays
- Schools reopen (Term 3 begins)
- After the Term 3 Holidays
- Schools reopen (Term 4 begins)
- School year ends
Planning a trip during the Summer holidays?
You have 45 days to work with. Here are a few family-friendly destinations that fit comfortably into this school break.
Bali
Indonesia
Great for 6-8 days
Bali is a good fit for this 45-day break because a 6-8 day trip fits within the available dates and it offers beaches and time outdoors.
- Beach
- Nature
- Family
Explore BaliBangkok
Thailand
Great for 4-5 days
Bangkok is a good fit for this 45-day break because a 4-5 day trip fits within the available dates and it offers city sights and food.
- City
- Culture
- Food
Explore BangkokTokyo
Japan
Great for 7-9 days
Tokyo is a good fit for this 45-day break because a 7-9 day trip fits within the available dates and it offers theme parks and city sights.
- Theme parks
- City
- Family
Explore Tokyo
Some travel links are affiliate links. TermBreaks may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
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 1 Holidays school holidays in New Zealand in 2026?
The Term 1 Holidays run from 3 Apr 2026 (Fri) to 19 Apr 2026 (Sun) (17 days inclusive).
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 2 Holidays school holidays in New Zealand in 2026?
The Term 2 Holidays run from 4 Jul 2026 (Sat) to 19 Jul 2026 (Sun) (16 days inclusive).
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 Term 3 Holidays school holidays in New Zealand in 2026?
The Term 3 Holidays run from 26 Sept 2026 (Sat) to 11 Oct 2026 (Sun) (16 days inclusive).
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 are the Summer Holidays school holidays in New Zealand in 2026?
The Summer Holidays run from 19 Dec 2026 (Sat) to 1 Feb 2027 (Mon) (45 days inclusive).
When do schools reopen after Term 1 Holidays in New Zealand?
Schools reopen on 20 Apr 2026 (Mon) for the start of Term 2.
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 do schools reopen after Term 2 Holidays in New Zealand?
Schools reopen on 20 Jul 2026 (Mon) for the start of Term 3.
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.
When do schools reopen after Term 3 Holidays in New Zealand?
Schools reopen on 12 Oct 2026 (Mon) for the start of Term 4.
When does Term 1 start in New Zealand in 2026?
Term 1 runs from 2 Feb 2026 (Mon) to 2 Apr 2026 (Thu).
When does Term 2 start in New Zealand in 2026?
Term 2 runs from 20 Apr 2026 (Mon) to 3 Jul 2026 (Fri).
When does Term 3 start in New Zealand in 2026?
Term 3 runs from 20 Jul 2026 (Mon) to 25 Sept 2026 (Fri).
When does Term 4 start in New Zealand in 2026?
Term 4 runs from 12 Oct 2026 (Mon) to 18 Dec 2026 (Fri).
When does the 2026 school year start in New Zealand?
The 2026 school year starts on 2 Feb 2026 (Mon).
When does school end in New Zealand in 2026?
The 2026 school year ends on 18 Dec 2026 (Fri).
What is the next school holiday in New Zealand?
The next school holiday is Summer Holidays, starting 19 Dec 2026 (Sat). See the Summer Holidays section (#summer-holidays-school-holidays) for full dates.
How can I add these school holiday dates to my calendar?
Use the calendar actions beside the holiday dates to subscribe, download an ICS or PDF file, or add the dates to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook or other apps.
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Statistics
- School days
- 271
- Holiday days
- 94
- Terms
- 4
- Longest break
- 45d
- Shortest break
- 16d
- Avg break
- 23.5d
Summer Holidays
Term 2 Holidays
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)
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Terms
Breaks
- School terms
- School breaks
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School holidays by year
- New Zealand School Holidays 2026
- New Zealand School Holidays 2027