Does your annual leave disappear faster than snacks in the staff kitchen?
When you’re only working with four weeks a year, it can feel like those 20 days barely touch the sides—whether you’re dreaming of a proper getaway or just trying to recover from the endless loop of work, errands, and life admin. But with a bit of strategy, your annual leave doesn’t have to vanish in a blur of random Fridays off and rushed long weekends.
In 2026, New Zealand’s public holidays line up beautifully for anyone willing to do a little forward planning. By pairing your annual leave with the right long weekends (and making the most of Mondayised holidays), you can turn those same 20 days into almost a year of cleverly spaced breaks.
2026 is absolutely the year to holiday smarter, not harder. Here’s six of the best high-value hacks – choose your five favourites, and be rewarded with 45+ days of well-planned holidays. Note, these rules apply to the classic Monday-Friday worker. If you happen to work weekends, then we tip our hat to you – you’re the real heroes.
We’ve also ignored regional holidays in favour of a national approach. Think of those as the cherries on top of this glorious holiday buffet.
Waitangi Mega-Break
- Annual leave: Mon 2 – Thu 5 February (4 days)
- Public holiday: Fri 6 February (Waitangi Day)
- Off work: Sat 31 Jan – Sun 8 Feb
- That’s 9 days off for 4 days’ leave
Easter Super Stretch
- Public holidays: Good Friday – Fri 3 April + Easter Monday – Mon 6 April
- Option: Take leave after Easter
- Annual leave: Tue 7 – Fri 10 April (4 days)
- Off work: Fri 3 – Sun 12 April
- That’s 10 days off for 4 days’ leave.
- You can also flip it and take Mon 30 March – Thu 2 April instead for a similar 10-day stretch (Sat 28 March – Mon 6 April).
ANZAC Day + week after
- ANZAC Day falls on Saturday 25 April, so the public holiday is observed on Monday 27 April for Monday–Friday workers.
Annual leave: Tue 28 April – Fri 1 May (4 days) - Off work: Sat 25 April – Sun 3 May
- That’s another 9 days off for 4 days’ leave.
King’s Birthday Block
- King’s Birthday is Monday 1 June.
- Annual leave: Tue 2 – Fri 5 June (4 days)
- Off work: Sat 30 May – Sun 7 June
- Again, 9 days off for 4 days’ leave
Matariki Winter Retreat
- Matariki is on Friday 10 July in 2026.
- Annual leave: Mon 6 – Thu 9 July (4 days)
- Off work: Sat 4 – Sun 12 July
- 9 days off for 4 days’ leave.
Labour Day Spring Escape
- Labour Day is Monday 26 October.
- Annual leave: Tue 27 – Fri 30 October (4 days)
- Off work: Sat 24 October – Sun 1 November
- Yet again, 9 days off for 4 days’ leave.
Christmas & New Year: the big one
Option 1 – 10-Day Christmas Break
Public holidays: Christmas Day – Fri 25 Dec + Boxing Day (observed) – Mon 28 Dec
Book: Annual leave: Mon 21 – Thu 24 December (4 days)
You get: Off work Sat 19 – Mon 28 December
That’s 10 consecutive days off for just 4 days’ leave.
Option 1 – 10-Day Christmas Break
If you’re happy to roll into 2027 with the same plan:
Book: Annual leave: Mon 21 – Thu 24 December (4 days)
Plus annual leave: Tue 29 – Thu 31 December (3 days)
Public holidays doing the heavy lifting: Christmas Day – Fri 25 Dec + Boxing Day (observed) – Mon 28 Dec
New Year’s Day 2027 – Fri 1 Jan (still a paid public holiday for NZ workers)
You get: Off work Sat 19 December 2026 – Sun 3 January 2027
That’s 16 days off for 7 days’ leave.
Don’t Let 2025 Public Holidays Go to Waste! Life’s too short to miss out on opportunities for a good break. By following these simple hacks, you can stretch your 20 days of annual leave into nearly 50 glorious days off. Start planning now to explore New Zealand’s breathtaking destinations, relax with loved ones, and make 2026 your most adventurous year yet.
Book your getaway today and make it your new years resolution to make 2026 public holidays work for you!
