NZ School Holidays and Term Dates 2026 and 2027
Term and holiday dates for state schools, kura and state-integrated schools, as published by the Ministry of Education. Term 1 and Term 4 give each school a window; Terms 2 and 3 are the same everywhere.
Next school holidays
Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October
The spring break after Term 3 2026. Term 4 starts Monday 12 October and runs to no later than Friday 18 December.
2026 school terms
| Term | Starts | Ends | Half days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 26 January to Monday 9 February (school chooses) | Thursday 2 April | 78-96 |
| Term 2 | Monday 20 April | Friday 3 July | 106 |
| Term 3 | Monday 20 July | Friday 25 September | 100 |
| Term 4 | Monday 12 October | No later than Friday 18 December | up to 98 |
2026 school holidays
| Break | Dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn break (after Term 1) | Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April | 17 days |
| Winter break (after Term 2) | Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July | 16 days |
| Spring break (after Term 3) | Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October | 16 days |
| Summer holidays | Start no later than Saturday 19 December | 5 or 6 weeks |
2027 school terms
| Term | Starts | Ends | Half days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Thursday 28 January to Wednesday 3 February (school chooses) | Friday 9 April | 88–96 |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 27 April | Friday 2 July | 94 |
| Term 3 | Monday 19 July | Friday 24 September | 100 |
| Term 4 | Monday 11 October | No later than Friday 17 December | up to 98 |
2027 school holidays
| Break | Dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn break (after Term 1) | Saturday 10 April to Monday 26 April | 17 days |
| Winter break (after Term 2) | Saturday 3 July to Sunday 18 July | 16 days |
| Spring break (after Term 3) | Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October | 16 days |
| Summer holidays | Start no later than Saturday 18 December | 5 or 6 weeks |
Why term dates differ between schools
Schools and kura kaupapa Māori have some flexibility to decide when Term 1 starts and when Term 4 finishes. Terms 2 and 3 are fixed. Where possible, the Ministry of Education aligns the end of Term 1 with the Easter holidays, which can make Term 1 shorter or longer depending on when Easter falls.
During a term, schools close for weekends, teacher-only days, public holidays and local anniversary days, the Tuesday following Easter Monday, and any emergency that requires the school to close. The 2027 public holiday and anniversary dates list the days that fall inside term time.
Frequently asked questions
When are the 2026 NZ school holidays?
Term 1 ends Thursday 2 April. The holidays are Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April, Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July and Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October. Summer holidays start no later than Saturday 19 December.
When are the 2027 NZ school holidays?
Term 1 ends Friday 9 April. The holidays are Saturday 10 April to Monday 26 April, Saturday 3 July to Sunday 18 July and Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October. Summer holidays start no later than Saturday 18 December.
When do NZ school terms start in 2026?
Term 1 starts on a day each school chooses between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February. Term 2 starts Monday 20 April, Term 3 Monday 20 July and Term 4 Monday 12 October.
When do NZ school terms start in 2027?
Term 1 starts on a day each school chooses between Thursday 28 January and Wednesday 3 February. Term 2 starts Tuesday 27 April, Term 3 Monday 19 July and Term 4 Monday 11 October.
Why do some schools have different term dates?
Schools and kura kaupapa Māori have some flexibility to decide when Term 1 starts and when Term 4 finishes. Terms 2 and 3 are fixed. The Ministry of Education says the flexibility lets each school meet the required teaching time and accommodate local events and teacher-only days.
Do these dates apply to private schools and early childhood centres?
The Ministry of Education publishes these dates for state schools, kura and state-integrated schools. Private schools and early childhood services set their own dates, so check with the school or service.
Sources
Related Calculators
NZ Public Holidays 2027
Observed dates, Matariki, Mondayised weekend holidays and every regional anniversary day.
Holiday Pay Calculator
Annual leave, public holiday pay and alternative holidays under the Holidays Act 2003.
Annual Leave Balance Calculator
Forecast an indicative leave balance after future accrual and planned leave.