The 2028 plan at a glance
This plan uses 20 days of leave for 50 days off across five breaks. The April break is the standout: a 17-day holiday that lines up exactly with the April school holidays.
| Break | Take leave | Leave days | Time off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easter + Anzac | Tue 18 – Fri 21 Apr, Mon 24 Apr, Wed 26 – Fri 28 Apr | 8 | Fri 14 Apr – Sun 30 Apr (17 days) |
| King’s Birthday | Fri 2 Jun | 1 | Fri 2 Jun – Mon 5 Jun (4 days) |
| Matariki | Mon 10 – Thu 13 Jul | 4 | Sat 8 Jul – Sun 16 Jul (9 days) |
| Labour Day | Tue 24 – Fri 27 Oct | 4 | Sat 21 Oct – Sun 29 Oct (9 days) |
| Christmas & New Year | Wed 27 – Fri 29 Dec | 3 | Sat 23 Dec 2028 – Tue 2 Jan 2029 (11 days) |
Easter to Anzac: the break of the year
Good Friday is 14 April, Easter Monday 17 April and Anzac Day Tuesday 25 April 2028. Because Anzac Day falls on a weekday, it isn’t moved to a Monday. It sits just over a week after Easter, so you can join the two together.
- Shortest version: take leave from Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 April and on Monday 24 April (5 days). You’ll have 12 days off, from Good Friday to Anzac Day.
- Full version: add Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 April (8 days in total). You’ll have 17 days off, from Friday 14 to Sunday 30 April.
- Southland: Southland Anniversary Day is Easter Tuesday (18 April), so you need one less day of leave for either version.
The April school holidays run from Friday 14 April to Sunday 30 April 2028, exactly the same 17 days. That’s great for families, but it also means flights and holiday homes will be in high demand, so book early.
Anzac Day on a Tuesday: the Monday option
If you can’t take the full April break, Anzac Day on a Tuesday still gives you a cheap long weekend. Take Monday 24 April off and you’ll have four days off, from Saturday 22 to Tuesday 25 April, for 1 day of leave.
Matariki falls in the July school holidays
Matariki is Friday 14 July 2028. The July school holidays run from Saturday 8 to Sunday 23 July, and Matariki falls right in the middle.
- Leave Monday 10 to Thursday 13 July (4 days) gives you 9 days off, from Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 July.
- Leave Monday 17 to Friday 21 July (5 days) gives you 10 days off, from Friday 14 to Sunday 23 July.
- Take both (9 days of leave) and you’re off for the full 16-day school holiday.
Christmas on a Monday
Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 December 2028, so neither moves. New Year’s Day 2029 is a Monday and 2 January a Tuesday. Take Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December (3 days) and you’ll be off from Saturday 23 December to Tuesday 2 January: 11 days.
Start of 2028: New Year’s Day and 2 January 2028 fall on a weekend, so they move to Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 January. If you go back to work on Wednesday 5 January, taking Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 January (3 days of 2028 leave) adds another five days to your summer break.
Regional extras for 2028
These regional dates are based on the usual rules for each anniversary day. Employment New Zealand hasn’t published its 2028 list yet.
- Auckland and Nelson: Anniversary Day is Monday 31 January and Waitangi Day is Monday 7 February. Take Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 February (4 days) for 10 days off.
- Wellington: Anniversary Day is Monday 24 January. Take Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 January (4 days) for 9 days off.
- Hawke’s Bay: Anniversary Day is Friday 20 October, the Friday before Labour Day. Taking Tuesday 24 to Friday 27 October gives you 10 days off.
- Marlborough: Anniversary Day is Monday 30 October. The same Labour week leave gives you 10 days off, from Saturday 21 to Monday 30 October.
Check your region on the 2028 public holidays page.
Before you book
- Annual leave is agreed with your employer. Ask early for April 2028, because many parents will want the same dates.
- Shift and weekend workers should check how Mondayisation works. In 2028 it affects 1 and 2 January and Waitangi Day (Sunday 6 February, observed Monday 7 February).
- Try the Annual Leave Maximiser with your own leave balance and region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anzac Day Mondayised in 2028?
No. Anzac Day 2028 falls on Tuesday 25 April, a weekday, so it is observed on the day itself. Anzac Day is only moved to a Monday when 25 April falls on a weekend.
When are the April 2028 school holidays?
Friday 14 April to Sunday 30 April 2028. They line up exactly with Good Friday and the week after Anzac Day.
How does 2028 compare with 2027 for leave?
In 2027 the holidays are spread out, and the best value comes from separate four-day bridges. In 2028, Easter and Anzac Day are close together, so one longer April break uses your leave best.
Official information sources
General information only, not legal or employment advice. Always confirm with your employer.