What Business Owners Need to Know About Public Holidays in NZ
Posted on 05 Dec 2025
As the festive season approaches, business owners need to understand how to manage staff if their business remains open over Christmas, the New Year, or other public holidays.
Key Rules for Public Holidays
If an employee works on a public holiday:
- They must be paid at least time and a half for the hours they work.
- If it is a day they would normally work, they are entitled to an alternative holiday (day in lieu).
When Can Staff Be Required to Work?
You can only require an employee to work on a public holiday if:
- It falls on a day they would normally work, and
- Their employment agreement allows for public holiday work.
Planning Tips for Christmas & New Year
- Ensure you have enough staff to cover essential operations.
- Schedule leave and alternative holidays in advance.
- Confirm payroll and holiday pay calculations before the office closes.
Being proactive helps you stay compliant and avoid last-minute payroll or staffing issues during the holiday season.
Need help planning for public holidays or payroll over Christmas? Get in touch with our team — we can guide you to ensure your business runs smoothly while keeping your staff happy.
