New Zealand Holiday Calendar

The New Zealand school year is divided into 4 terms for state and state-integrated schools. There is a 2 week break between each of the first 3 terms and a summer holiday at the end of the 4th term of about 6 weeks.

Setting term dates for state and state-integrated schools

At the start of the year, schools may open on any day between Auckland Anniversary Day and 7 February, the day after Waitangi Day. At the end of the year, schools can close on any day up to the latest date, as long as they have been open for the required number of half-days during the year. More information for schools setting term dates.

Easter Tuesday school holiday 2016

Easter Tuesday is a school holiday by law for state and state integrated schools. This means they must close on Easter Tuesday.

ical files for primary and secondary school term dates and holidays

Download the ical files for 2015-2017 school terms and holidays:

2016 school terms

Start date	End date	Holidays
Term 1 - 11 weeks	Between Monday 1 February (at the earliest); and Friday 5 February (at the latest)	Friday 15 April (94-102 half days)	Public holidays: Waitangi Day 8 February, Easter: Good Friday 25 March, Easter Monday 28 March and Easter Tuesday 29 March (a school holiday) School holiday: Saturday 16 April - Sunday 1 May and includes ANZAC day.
Term 2 - 10 weeks	Monday 2 May	Friday 8 July (98 half days)	Public holiday: Queen’s Birthday 6 June School holiday: Saturday 9 July – Sunday 24 July
Term 3 - 9 weeks	Monday 25 July	Friday 23 September (90 half days)	School holidays: Saturday 24 September – Sunday 9 October
Term 4 - up to 11 weeks	Monday 10 October	Primary, intermediate and special schools: No later than Tuesday 20 December (102 half days)* Secondary and composite: No later than Friday 16 December (98 half days)**	Public holidays: Labour Day 24 October, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day School holiday: 5 or 6 weeks (from school’s closing date until opening date of school the following year)

* Or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 384 half days in 2016.
** Or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 380 half days in 2016.