Unlock the full potential of your leave in New Zealand in 2025

Turn 16 days of annual leave into 53 days on holiday

Taking regular breaks from work is essential to maintain productivity and well-being, and with some smart planning, you can stretch your annual leave for the end of 2024, and 2025, for optimal downtime. By combining your paid time off with weekends and public holidays, you’ll multiply your vacation days and return to work feeling recharged and ready to perform at your best.

Why taking your annual leave matters

Annual leave is a standard benefit for full-time employees in New Zealand and Australia, providing a dedicated time to step back, unwind, and recover. When used strategically, it not only enhances personal well-being but also boosts productivity, enabling you to return with a fresh perspective. Let’s explore how to use your leave effectively to get the most out of each break.

How to maximise your annual leave in 2025

Aligning annual leave days with public holidays is a fantastic way to extend your vacations without needing additional days off. Here’s a guide to taking strategic breaks across the year to stretch your leave and enjoy more time off.

Christmas 2024 and New Year’s 2025 – Book six days, get 16 days off

With Christmas Day on Wednesday and New Year’s Day on the following Wednesday, a strategic combination of annual leave and public holidays can provide a substantial break.

• Book six days: Take leave on 23-24 December, 27 December, 30-31 December, and 3 January.

• Your break: This will give you a total of 16 days off, from Saturday, 21 December, until Sunday, 5 January.

Waitangi Day 2025 – Book one day, get four days off

Waitangi Day falls on Thursday, 6 February. Taking just one extra day off means a long weekend.

• Book one day: Take Friday, 7 February as annual leave.

• Your break: This provides four days off, from Thursday, 6 February, to Sunday, 9 February.

Easter and ANZAC Day 2025 – Book three days, get 10 days off

In 2025, Easter lands in mid-April, with Good Friday on 18 April, Easter Monday on 21 April, and ANZAC Day soon after on Friday, 25 April. By taking a few days off, you can enjoy an extended break.

• Book three days: Take leave on 22-24 April.

• Your break: You’ll enjoy a 10-day holiday from Friday, 18 April, to Sunday, 27 April.

King’s Birthday 2025 – Book one day, get four days off

The King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday, 2 June. By taking off the preceding Friday, you create a long weekend.

• Book one day: Take Friday, 30 May.

• Your break: This gives you a four-day weekend from Friday, 30 May, to Monday, 2 June.

Matariki 2025 – Book one day, get four days off

The Matariki holiday is on Friday, 20 June. By adding a single day of leave, you can enjoy an extended weekend.

• Book one day: Take Monday, 23 June as annual leave.

• Your break: Enjoy four days off from Friday, 20 June, through Monday, 23 June.

Labour Day 2025 – Book one day, get 4 days off

Labour Day in 2025 falls on Monday, 27 October. Taking an additional day off allows you to make the most of this break.

• Book one day: Take Friday, 24 October.

• Your break: This creates a long weekend from Friday, 24 October, to Monday, 27 October.

Christmas and New Year 2025-26 – Book three days, get 11 days off

With Christmas Day on Thursday and Boxing Day on Friday, a few extra days off can turn your holidays into a much longer break.

• Book three days: Take leave on 29-31 December.

• Your break: This results in 11 days off from Thursday, 25 December, through Sunday, 4 January.

Additional tips for your annual leave in 2025

• Plan ahead: Locking in dates early ensures you’ll get your desired days off and can even help your workplace prepare for your absence.

• Consider regional holidays: New Zealand and Australia have various regional holidays, depending on location. These can add to your break potential, so check the specific holidays for your area.

New Zealand public and anniversary holidays in 2025

• New Year's Day - 1 January

• Day after New Year's Day - 2 January

• Wellington Anniversary - 20 January

• Auckland Anniversary - 27 January

• Nelson Anniversary - 3 February

• Waitangi Day - 6 February

• Taranaki Anniversary - 10 March

• Otago Anniversary - 24 March

• Good Friday - 18 April

• Easter Monday - 21 April

• Southland Anniversary - 22 April

• Anzac Day - 25 April

• King's Birthday - 2 June

• Matariki - 20 June

• South Canterbury Anniversary - 22 September 

• Hawke's Bay Anniversary - 24 October

• Labour Day - 27 October

• Marlborough Anniversary - 3 November

• Canterbury Anniversary - 14 November

• Chatham Islands Anniversary and Westland Anniversary - 1 December

• Christmas Day - 25 December

• Boxing Day - 26 December 

New Zealand school terms for 2025

School start dates may vary slightly, but generally, Term 1 begins between Monday, 27 January, and Friday, 7 February, at the latest.

• Term 1: Runs for 11 weeks, concluding on Friday, 11 April.

• Term 2: Spans nine weeks from 28 April to 27 June.

• Term 3: A 10-week term from 14 July to 19 September, with no public holidays.

• Term 4: Starts on 6 October and wraps up on 19 December.

Summary: Your annual leave plan for 2025

Here’s a quick overview of the recommended dates to maximise your time off in 2025:

With this guide, you’ll make the most of your annual leave in 2025, giving yourself the time you need to rest, recharge, and make the most of the year ahead.