If you’re moving to New Zealand from overseas, navigating school holidays might be a little different from what you’re used to. Knowing when the holidays fall means you can plan your year and make the most of these breaks.
Use our guide to help you understand how the school term is structured throughout the year and plan accordingly.
New Zealand's school year is divided into four terms of about ten weeks each. Throughout the year students will get public holidays off, several two-week breaks between the end of one term and the start of another, and a long break over the Christmas and summer holidays.
These breaks are a great way to spend time together as a family or even explore the country! Whether you're planning a family getaway, looking for activities to keep the kids entertained, or simply need to know when school is out, here's everything you need to know about school holidays in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, our school year is split into four terms. Most schools start in late January or early February and will run until mid-December.
There can be variations in how long term 4 can be for in high school, as national exams take place in November in December. Students in Years 11, 12 and 13 have time off to study and only attend school to sit their exams. They aren’t expected to go to classes during this time.
At the start of every year, students in New Zealand are enjoying their summer holidays. The holidays span from mid-December (or earlier for tertiary institutes and older secondary students), and run through until late January or early February.
These holidays mark the end of the academic year. They are also a busy time for most families as Christmas and New Year's Day fall during this period. Many people use this time to visit family or plan a summer getaway after the Christmas period is over. The warmer weather makes it the perfect time to enjoy the coast, visit a beachside town, or plan an outdoor adventure.
The Autumn holidays usually coincide with Easter, taking place at the end of Term 1 in early April. This two-week break is a great opportunity to enjoy the cooler weather. Usually, there are enough sunny days to book your last camping trip or outdoor adventure that doesn’t involve skiing.
The winter holidays are generally in early or mid-July, following the end of Term 2. These holidays last two weeks and are the perfect time for a skiing holiday or for just enjoying some time off indoors. Whether you’re hitting the ski slopes on some of New Zealand's best ski fields, enjoying your favourite indoor activities, or embracing the winter sports scene, there are plenty of options for enjoying your time off.
The spring holidays are at the end of Term 3 and usually last for two weeks, running from late September into early October. These holidays can be an important break for older students. Not only do they get some much-needed time off, it’s also their final chance to study intensely before their school exams start in Term 4.
Whether you’re studying or not, spring is the perfect season for outdoor adventures. It’s warm enough for hiking and biking—many towns start holding outdoor events again or you can use this time for cleaning and prepping for the end of the school year.
Throughout the school year, New Zealand schools will have ‘teacher-only’ days when students are not required to attend school. During this time, teachers are engaged in professional development or planning.
These days vary from school to school. They are often added to the end of a term break but are sometimes held on separate days throughout the year. It’s always a good idea to check your child’s school calendar for these specific dates at the start of the year.
During term time, your child will also get New Zealand’s public holidays off. As most workers also get public holidays off, these days are a great way for families to spend more time together.
The most common public holidays during school breaks include:
Marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and is observed during the first few weeks of Term 1.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is taken as a day off.
The Easter holidays often fall within the Autumn or Term 2 break, making it a great time for a short trip or family celebrations.
In 2022, New Zealand introduced a new public holiday to celebrate Matariki—New Zealand’s official Māori New Year.
As the date differs according to the appearance of the Pleiades star cluster, this day off can fall within the winter break or during term time.
This holiday usually falls during the spring holidays, offering a chance for a long weekend getaway.
Here are a few things you can do to get the most out of these holidays.
You don’t have to go far to have a good break as a family. Make your break more affordable by exploring your local parks, beaches and trails with your kids. New Zealand has a range of fun activities for families, such as parks, beaches, museums, and nature walks. Many towns and cities also host school holiday programmes, workshops, or day camps that can be a great way to keep kids engaged.
Look out for special events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting competitions taking place during school holidays. These are great opportunities to experience New Zealand’s laid-back culture and outdoor lifestyle.
If you prefer to blend fun with learning, there are places to visit that offer educational programmes. Science centres, art galleries, and historical sites around New Zealand often hold special school holiday programmes for kids.
Summer camps are common in the United States, but don’t really exist in New Zealand. Most holiday programmes only run during the day and summer camping usually involves the whole family.
Holidays are great for children, but can often come with the stress of planning for childcare. In New Zealand, children under the age of 14 cannot be left by themselves at home. If you are a working parent, plan to take some leave during this time or arrange alternative care for younger kids.
If you’re planning to go away as a family, book flights and accommodation early. Flying domestically can be expensive in New Zealand, especially during term time. Make sure you book flights at least a few months in advance.
While school holidays generally follow the national calendar, individual schools may have slightly different start and end dates. Check the exact dates your school plans to have off for holidays each year.
School holidays in New Zealand are the perfect opportunity for families to recharge, enjoy quality time together, and take advantage of everything our country has to offer. They can also be an ideal time to move house! Wise Move takes the stress out of finding a mover during the school holidays. Whether you need to move now, or at the end of term, we make it easy to organise your move.
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