New Zealand school terms and holidays

The New Zealand school year starts at the end of January or early February and ends in December.

The year consists of four terms with a break between each and a longer break at Christmas (summer).

The table below shows the school term dates in New Zealand for 2010:

2010 - primary and intermediate schools
Term 1 Between Tuesday 2 February (at the earliest) and Friday 5 February (at the latest). To Thursday 1 April (80 - 86 half-days)
Term 2 Monday 19 April To Friday 2 July (108 half-days)
Term 3 Monday 19 July To Friday 24 September (100 half-days)
Term 4 Monday 11 October To No later than Monday 20 December (100 half-days) *
*Or to a day in December that ensures the school has been open for instruction for 388 half-days in 2010.
 
2010 - secondary and composite schools
Term 1 Between Tuesday 2 February (at the earliest) and Friday 5 February (at the latest). To Thursday 1 April (80 – 86 half-days)
Term 2 Monday 19 April To Friday 2 July (108 half-days)
Term 3 Monday 19 July To Friday 24 September (100 half-days)
Term 4 Monday 11 October To Tuesday 14 December (92 half days)*
*Or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 380 half-days in 2010.

New Zealand school holidays 2010

Schools must be closed in 2010 on Saturdays and Sundays and on the following holidays:

  1. New Years Day – 1 January
  2. Day after New Years Day – 2 January (or Monday, 4 January, observed)
  3. Waitangi Day – 6 February
  4. Good Friday – 2 April
  5. Easter Monday – 5 April
  6. Anzac Day – 25 April
  7. Queen's Birthday – 7 June
  8. Labour Day – 25 October
  9. Christmas Day – 25 December (or Monday, 27 December, observed)
  10. Boxing Day – 26 December (or Tuesday, 28 December, observed)
  11. Relevant Anniversary Day Holiday

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Education