Christmas Day is on Friday 25 December this year and Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December, which means some workers will have Boxing Day moved to Monday 28 December, according to Employment New Zealand.
New Year's Day falls on Friday 1 January 2027. The day after New Year's Day is a Saturday, so Employment New Zealand lists it as observed on Saturday 2 January or Monday 4 January, depending on whether you normally work Saturdays.
If you work on a public holiday
Employment New Zealand says an employee who works on a public holiday must be paid at least time and a half for the hours worked. If the employment agreement has a better penal rate, the employee gets whichever works out higher.
If the public holiday falls on a day the employee would otherwise have worked, they also get an alternative holiday. This is a full paid day off taken later, sometimes called a day in lieu.
The day off is a full day regardless of how many hours were worked on the holiday. Employment New Zealand gives the example of a worker who normally does 8 hours on a Monday but works only 2 hours on a Monday public holiday. She is paid time and a half for the 2 hours and still gets a full alternative holiday worth 8 hours.
Shifts across midnight
Night-shift workers can earn two alternative holidays from one shift. Employment New Zealand's example is a worker who works 10pm on Christmas Day to 6am on Boxing Day, with both days normal working days for him. He gets at least time and a half for all 8 hours and two alternative holidays.
If you don't work on the day
If a public holiday falls on a day you would normally work and you get the day off, you are entitled to be paid for it at your relevant daily pay or average daily pay.
Boxing Day on a Saturday
This is where it gets confusing. Employment New Zealand says it depends on whether you normally work Saturdays.
If you usually work Saturdays, Boxing Day stays on Saturday 26 December. Work that day and you get time and a half plus an alternative holiday. Monday 28 December is then a normal day at normal pay.
If you don't usually work Saturdays but do work Mondays, the holiday moves to Monday 28 December. This is called Mondayisation. Work that Monday and you get time and a half plus an alternative holiday. If you don't work it, you get a paid day off.
If you work neither Saturday nor Monday normally, Employment New Zealand says you get no public holiday payment for either day.
Taking the day in lieu
Employers and staff should agree when an alternative holiday is taken. If they can't agree, the employer can choose the day, but Employment New Zealand says it must be reasonable and give at least 14 days' notice. The day off must be paid in the pay period it is taken.
Check your agreement
These are minimum rights. Your employment agreement can give more but not less. If you think you have been underpaid, Employment New Zealand's contact centre is on 0800 20 90 20. It is open 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays but closed on public holidays and between Christmas and New Year, so call before 24 December if you can.
Sources
- Employment New Zealand, "Public holidays and anniversary dates": https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/public-holidays-and-anniversary-dates
- Employment New Zealand, "When a public holiday falls on a weekend": https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/when-a-public-holiday-falls-on-a-weekend
- Employment New Zealand, "Public holiday falls on Saturday": https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/public-holidays-falling-on-a-weekend/public-holiday-falls-on-saturday
- Employment New Zealand, "Public holidays rights for employees": https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/public-holidays-rights-for-employees
- Employment New Zealand, "Contact us": https://www.employment.govt.nz/employment-new-zealand/contact-us
- Employment New Zealand, "Alternative holidays": https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/alternative-holidays
