2026 School Holidays NZ: Full Calendar and Term Dates

With the official 2026 term dates now published by the Ministry of Education, parents across New Zealand can finally pencil in the holidays, plan trips, and coordinate care. Whether you’re in Auckland, Christchurch, or anywhere in between, the national schedule plus a handful of regional tweaks gives you everything you need to plan ahead.

Number of school terms in 2026: 4 ·
Earliest start date for Term 1: Monday 26 January 2026 ·
Latest start date for Term 1: Monday 9 February 2026 ·
Term 1 end date: Thursday 2 April 2026 ·
Term 1 holidays: Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026 ·
Term 2 holidays: Saturday 4 July – Sunday 19 July 2026

The Ministry of Education sets a fixed window for each term, but individual schools choose their exact start date within that range. The pattern across all four terms: teaching runs for roughly 10 weeks, followed by a two-week break.

When are the 2026 school holidays in New Zealand?

Overview of 2026 school term and holiday dates

• Term 1 holidays: Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026 (New Zealand Government – school terms and holidays portal)
• Term 2 holidays: Saturday 4 July – Sunday 19 July 2026
• Term 3 holidays: Saturday 26 September – Sunday 11 October 2026
• Summer break starts no later than Saturday 19 December 2026

Official Ministry of Education calendar

The Ministry of Education publishes a comprehensive school term and holiday calendar on its website, which includes all four term dates and holiday periods. The calendar is available as a downloadable PDF for printing or saving to your device (New Zealand Ministry of Education – official page).

The pattern is clear: the Ministry sets the rails, but individual schools control the engine.

What are the term dates for the 2026 school year?

Term 1: January to April

• Starts: between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February 2026
• Ends: Thursday 2 April 2026
• Holiday break: Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026

Term 2: April to July

• Starts: Monday 20 April 2026
• Ends: Friday 3 July 2026
• Holiday break: Saturday 4 July – Sunday 19 July 2026

Term 3: July to September

• Starts: Monday 20 July 2026
• Ends: Friday 25 September 2026
• Holiday break: Saturday 26 September – Sunday 11 October 2026

Term 4: October to December

• Starts: Monday 12 October 2026
• Ends: approximately Friday 18 December 2026 (New Zealand Ministry of Education – term date schedules)
• Summer holidays begin after the last day.

PDF calendar download options

The Ministry of Education provides a full 2026 calendar in PDF format on its website. This one-page document includes all term start and end dates, holiday periods, and public holiday callouts. It’s the most authoritative source for printing or sharing with caregivers (New Zealand Ministry of Education – PDF calendar download).

This means families should treat the calendar as a strong guide, but always verify the final bell at their child’s specific school.

When are the April school holidays in 2026?

Exact dates for the April break

The April school holidays run from Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April 2026. This is the Term 1 holiday period and applies to all primary, intermediate, and secondary schools across New Zealand (New Zealand Government – school holidays page). Waitangi Day (6 February) falls earlier in Term 1, so it does not affect the April break.

What to do during the April holidays

With autumn in full swing, the April break is a popular time for family road trips, visiting national parks, or taking advantage of the quieter period before winter sport starts. Many holiday programmes and camps operate during these two weeks, especially in cities like Auckland and Christchurch.

The April break is a strategic planning opportunity for families who prefer autumn travel over the peak summer season.

What are the school holidays for Auckland in 2026?

Auckland school holiday dates match national dates

Auckland schools follow the same national holiday schedule as the rest of New Zealand. The Term 1 break (3–19 April), Term 2 break (4–19 July), and Term 3 break (26 Sep–11 Oct) all apply uniformly. However, individual schools in Auckland may set their own term start and finish within the Ministry’s permitted range. For example, King’s College in Auckland starts Term 1 on Thursday 29 January 2026 and ends Term 4 on Thursday 3 December 2026 – earlier than the typical December finish (King’s College Auckland – term dates calendar).

Public holidays specific to Auckland region

• Auckland Anniversary Day: Monday 2 February 2026 – a regional public holiday observed only in the Auckland province (New Zealand Government – public holiday dates).
• Waitangi Day (6 Feb), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King’s Birthday (1 Jun), and Labour Day (26 Oct) are national holidays that also apply in Auckland.

The Auckland Anniversary holiday falls during the Term 1 start window, meaning some schools may schedule a teacher-only day around it to create a long weekend.

What are the secondary school holidays in 2026?

Difference between primary and secondary term dates

Secondary schools operate on the same term and holiday schedule as primary and intermediate schools. The official Ministry calendar applies to all state and state-integrated schools. However, secondary schools may schedule NCEA exam preparation days or internal assessment deadlines that fall at the end of a term, potentially affecting when senior students finish. The holiday dates themselves remain fixed (Botany Downs Secondary College – term dates page).

NCEA exam period impact on Term 4

NCEA exams typically run from early November to early December. For Year 11–13 students, the exam schedule may mean a later final day than the official Term 4 end date. Many secondary schools conclude the teaching programme in early December, but the summer break does not officially start until after grades are finalised.

Senior students and their families face a more complex calendar than the official term dates suggest, making direct school communication essential.

The 2026 school year is structured the same way as previous years, but with a twist: Term 1’s variable start means some Auckland families already have their calendars locked in, while others are still waiting for their school’s board to confirm the date. For parents juggling work and holiday planning, the safe bet is to treat the last week of January as Term 1 start, then check with the school office. For Christchurch families, the same national dates apply, with Canterbury Anniversary Day (14 November) falling in Term 4 – a regional holiday that may create a three-day weekend but does not shift the school break windows.

Frequently asked questions

For a complete breakdown of all New Zealand term dates and public holidays, see our Term Dates 2026 NZ: School Calendar & Public Holidays guide. And if you’re planning around Auckland-specific public observances, Auckland Public Holidays 2025: Complete List, Dates & Rules provides useful context (note the 2025 edition – 2026 details are expected later in the year).