Annual Leave & Public Holidays in NZ — Holidays Act (2026)
About this article
Sourced from New Zealand Acts of Parliament (legislation.govt.nz), regulations, and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The Holidays Act 2003 guarantees every employee at least four weeks of paid annual leave each year, which you become entitled to after 12 months (and can take by agreement). You also get the public holidays (11 nationally, plus a regional anniversary day). If you work on a public holiday that's an ordinary working day for you, you must be paid at least time and a half and given an alternative day off (a "day in lieu").
On top of that, employees get 10 days' paid sick leave a year after six months' employment (which can accumulate), bereavement leave, and family violence leave. Leave must be paid at the correct rate — miscalculated holiday pay is one of the most common (and recoverable) breaches in New Zealand.
When does it apply?
- You're an employee (full-time, part-time, or casual with regular hours).
- You worked, or were asked to work, on a public holiday.
- You're unsure your holiday or sick pay was calculated correctly.
What to do about leave and public holidays
- Check your leave balances and pay rate against the Holidays Act.
- Claim time-and-a-half plus a day in lieu for public holidays worked.
- Raise miscalculations with your employer, then Employment NZ.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't let leave be "cashed out" below your entitlement — only one week may be cashed up by request, per year.
- Don't assume casuals get nothing — regular casuals accrue leave too.
- Don't ignore holiday-pay errors — they're recoverable.
About Workers' Rights in New Zealand
New Zealand employment law rests on the Employment Relations Act 2000 (good faith, personal grievances, bargaining), the Minimum Wage Act 1983, the Holidays Act 2003 (4 weeks' annual leave, public holidays, sick leave) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Most disputes start with free mediation through Employment New Zealand, then go to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). The big deadline to remember is the 90-day window to raise a personal grievance.
Rates current as at 1 April 2026 — re-verify on employment.govt.nz before relying on them. Employment NZ: 0800 20 90 20. WorkSafe: 0800 030 040.
Common Questions
What is the annual leave and public holidays right in New Zealand?
The Holidays Act 2003 guarantees every employee at least four weeks of paid annual leave each year, which you become entitled to after 12 months (and can take by agreement). You also get the public holidays (11 nationally, plus a regional anniversary day). If you work on a public holiday that's an ordinary working day for you, you must be paid at least time and a half and given an alternative day off (a "day in lieu").On top of that, employees get 10 days' paid sick leave a year after six months' employment (which can accumulate), bereavement leave, and family violence leave. Leave m...
When does it apply — annual leave and public holidays?
You're an employee (full-time, part-time, or casual with regular hours).You worked, or were asked to work, on a public holiday.You're unsure your holiday or sick pay was calculated correctly.
How much annual leave do I get in New Zealand?
Check your leave balances and pay rate against the Holidays Act.Claim time-and-a-half plus a day in lieu for public holidays worked.Raise miscalculations with your employer, then Employment NZ.
What should you NOT do — annual leave and public holidays?
Don't let leave be "cashed out" below your entitlement — only one week may be cashed up by request, per year.Don't assume casuals get nothing — regular casuals accrue leave too.Don't ignore holiday-pay errors — they're recoverable.