# Public holidays Official source: https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays Scanned: 2026-06-07T03:31:31.402Z Use this as a current official guidance reference, not as a substitute for legal advice. ## Page Text Home Leave and holidays Public holidays Leave and holidays Public holidays Employees have minimum rights that apply to public holidays. Leave and holidays Public holidays Public holidays and anniversary dates Previous years: Public holidays and anniversary dates Managing public holidays as an employer Public holidays rights for employees Transferring a public holiday Alternative holidays When a public holiday falls on a weekend Restricted trading days for shops Working and trading on Easter Sunday Annual holidays Sick leave Bereavement leave Parental leave Family violence leave Jury service leave Employment Relations Education leave Time off to vote Defence force volunteers Other types of leave Public holidays and anniversary dates Employees have minimum rights that apply to public holidays. Previous years: Public holidays and anniversary dates New Zealand public holidays and anniversary dates for 2010 to 2025. Managing public holidays as an employer Your employees are entitled to a paid day off if a public holiday falls on a normal working day for them. Public holidays rights for employees An employee is entitled to a paid day off if a public holiday falls on a day they would otherwise be working. Transferring a public holiday An employer and employee can make an agreement to transfer an entire public holiday so that it is observed on another day. Alternative holidays An alternative holiday (sometimes called a ‘day in lieu’) is a day off to take at another time. Employees get an alternative holiday when they work on a public holiday that falls on a normal working day for them. When a public holiday falls on a weekend When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, an employee’s public holiday may be moved to the following Monday – or in some cases Tuesday. Restricted trading days for shops On 3 and a half days each year, almost all shops must close. But some shops can open with conditions, or they have an area exemption or Easter Sunday local policy. Working and trading on Easter Sunday In addition to the restricted trading rules, local council policies may also apply to shops wishing to trade on Easter Sunday.