Term 1 break
3 April 2026 to 19 April 2026
17 days
School holidays 2026
School holidays NZ 2026
There are 3 school holiday breaks in 2026, plus the summer break. Term dates are recommended by the Ministry of Education and apply to state and state-integrated schools.
Heads up: Most schools follow these dates, but each school sets its own exact start and end days within the Ministry of Education's recommended window. Check with your school for exact dates. Ministry of Education.
School holidays 2026 at a glance
Term 2 break
4 July 2026 to 19 July 2026
16 days
Term 3 break
26 September 2026 to 11 October 2026
16 days
Summer break
Starts no later than 19 December 2026
5-6 weeks
Term dates 2026
Terms 2 and 3 are fixed by the Ministry of Education. Terms 1 and 4 sit inside flexible windows so each school can choose start and end days that fit its calendar.
Term 1
26 January 2026 - 9 February 2026 → 2 April 2026
up to 10 weeks
Term 2
20 April 2026 → 3 July 2026
11 weeks
Term 3
20 July 2026 → 25 September 2026
10 weeks
Term 4
12 October 2026 → no later than 18 December 2026
up to 10 weeks
These dates apply to state and state-integrated schools and kura. Private schools may differ.
Frequently asked questions
When does term 1 start in 2026?
Term 1 2026 starts within an MoE window between 26 January 2026 and 9 February 2026. Each school chooses its exact start day inside that window. Check with your school for the exact date.
When does term 2 start in 2026?
Term 2 2026 starts on 20 April 2026.
When are the school holidays in 2026?
There are 3 term breaks during the year (after terms 1, 2 and 3) plus a summer break. The first term break runs from 3 April 2026 to 19 April 2026.
How long is the summer break in 2026?
The 2026 summer break starts no later than 19 December 2026 and runs for 5 to 6 weeks. Exact start and end dates vary by school.
Do all NZ schools follow the same holiday dates?
No. The Ministry of Education sets recommended term dates for state and state-integrated schools, but each school sets its own exact start and end days within the recommended window. Private schools and kura may follow different dates entirely. Always check with your school.
Is Easter Tuesday a school holiday?
Yes. Under the Education and Training Act, Easter Tuesday is treated as a school holiday for state and state-integrated schools, even though it is not a public holiday for most workers. It usually sits inside the term 1 break.