Term 1 break
14 April 2028 to 30 April 2028
17 days
School holidays 2028
School holidays NZ 2028
There are 3 school holiday breaks in 2028, 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 2028 at a glance
Term 2 break
8 July 2028 to 23 July 2028
16 days
Term 3 break
30 September 2028 to 15 October 2028
16 days
Summer break
Starts no later than 16 December 2028
5-6 weeks
Term dates 2028
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
31 January 2028 - 8 February 2028 → 13 April 2028
up to 11 weeks
Term 2
1 May 2028 → 7 July 2028
10 weeks
Term 3
24 July 2028 → 29 September 2028
10 weeks
Term 4
16 October 2028 → no later than 15 December 2028
up to 9 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 2028?
Term 1 2028 starts within an MoE window between 31 January 2028 and 8 February 2028. Each school chooses its exact start day inside that window. Check with your school for the exact date.
When does term 2 start in 2028?
Term 2 2028 starts on 1 May 2028.
When are the school holidays in 2028?
There are 3 term breaks during the year (after terms 1, 2 and 3) plus a summer break. The first term break runs from 14 April 2028 to 30 April 2028.
How long is the summer break in 2028?
The 2028 summer break starts no later than 16 December 2028 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.