Four terms a year

School term dates

New Zealand state and state-integrated schools run four terms. Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationwide. Schools choose when Term 1 starts and when Term 4 finishes, so long as they meet the half-day opening requirement.

These dates are from the Ministry of Education, last checked 30 August 2026. Always confirm the first and last day with your own school.

Right now: Term 3, 2026. Next: Term 3 holidays 2026.

2026

Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationwide. Schools choose when Term 1 starts (between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February 2026) and when Term 4 finishes (no later than Friday 18 December 2026), so long as they meet the half-day opening requirement. Always confirm the first and last day with your own school.

Term 1 · up to 10 weeks
Between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February 2026 – Thursday 2 April 2026
78–96 half days
- Waitangi Day — Friday 6 February 2026
The Ministry publishes a start window, not a single national first day. After Tea treats Term 1 as underway from the earliest possible start (26 January) until 2 April.
Term 2 · 11 weeks
Monday 20 April 2026 – Friday 3 July 2026
106 half days
- Anzac Day — Saturday 25 April 2026 (observed Monday 27 April)
- King’s Birthday — Monday 1 June 2026
Term 3 · 10 weeks
Monday 20 July 2026 – Friday 25 September 2026
100 half days
Term 4 · up to 10 weeks
Monday 12 October 2026 – No later than Friday 18 December 2026
up to 98 half days
- Labour Day — Monday 26 October 2026
Schools may finish earlier than 18 December. Secondary schools often close a little sooner than primary schools.

Holidays 2026

Term 1 holidays. Friday, 3 April 2026 – Sunday, 19 April 2026 (Good Friday — 3 April 2026; Easter Monday — 6 April 2026; Easter Tuesday — 7 April 2026 (a school holiday))
Term 2 holidays. Saturday, 4 July 2026 – Sunday, 19 July 2026 (Matariki — Friday 10 July 2026)
Term 3 holidays. Saturday, 26 September 2026 – Sunday, 11 October 2026
Summer holidays. Saturday, 19 December 2026 – Wednesday, 27 January 2027

Source: School terms and holidays dates · 2025 and 2026 School Term Dates and Minimum Half-day Opening Requirement. Retrieved 2026-08-30.

2027

Terms 2 and 3 are fixed nationwide. Schools choose when Term 1 starts (between Thursday 28 January and Wednesday 3 February 2027) and when Term 4 finishes (no later than Friday 17 December 2027).

Term 1 · up to 11 weeks
Between Thursday 28 January and Wednesday 3 February 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
88–96 half days
- Waitangi Day — Saturday 6 February, observed Monday 8 February 2027
- Good Friday — 26 March 2027
- Easter Monday — 29 March 2027
- Easter Tuesday — 30 March 2027 (a school holiday)
Term 2 · 10 weeks
Tuesday 27 April 2027 – Friday 2 July 2027
94 half days
- King’s Birthday — Monday 7 June 2027
- Matariki — Friday 25 June 2027
Term 3 · 10 weeks
Monday 19 July 2027 – Friday 24 September 2027
100 half days
Term 4 · up to 10 weeks
Monday 11 October 2027 – No later than Friday 17 December 2027
up to 98 half days
- Labour Day — Monday 25 October 2027

Holidays 2027

Term 1 holidays. Saturday, 10 April 2027 – Monday, 26 April 2027 (Anzac Day observed — Monday 26 April 2027)
Term 2 holidays. Saturday, 3 July 2027 – Sunday, 18 July 2027
Term 3 holidays. Saturday, 25 September 2027 – Sunday, 10 October 2027
Summer holidays. Saturday, 18 December 2027 – Sunday, 30 January 2028

Source: School terms and holidays dates. Retrieved 2026-08-30.