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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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
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.
Here’s a quick overview of the recommended dates to maximise your time off in 2025:
Public Holiday | Book leave on these dates | Total days off |
Christmas, Boxing Day & New Year’s 24/25 | 23-24 Dec, 27 Dec, 30-31 Dec, 3 Jan - 6 days of leave | 16 |
Waitangi Day | 7 February - 1 day of leave | 4 |
Easter & ANZAC Day | 22-24 April - 3 days of leave | 10 |
Kings Birthday | 30 May - 1 day of leave |
4 |
Matariki | 23 June - 1 day of leave | 4 |
Labour Day | 24 October - 1 day of leave | 4 |
Christmas, Boxing Day & New Year’s 25/26 | 29-31 Dec - 3 days of leave | 11 |
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.
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