Anzac Day 2026 To Be Observed On Saturday

Anzac Day will be observed on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with no public holiday shift to Monday, as the date falls on a weekend and New Zealand law does not provide for a “Mondayised” observance when Anzac Day coincides with a Saturday or Sunday.

The 2026 Anzac Day commemorations will proceed on the actual calendar date, April 25, which is a Saturday, meaning that most workers who would normally have the day off will need to work unless their employer grants leave or they are covered by specific industry agreements.

Under the Holidays Act 2003, Anzac Day is one of the few public holidays in New Zealand that is not automatically moved to the following Monday when it falls on a weekend. Unlike Labour Day, Waitangi Day, or the King’s Birthday, which are “Mondayised” to create long weekends, Anzac Day remains fixed to April 25 regardless of the day of the week.

This means that for the 2026 observance, employees who work on Saturday, April 25, are entitled to time-and-a-half pay for the hours worked, plus an alternative day off if they would normally work on that day. Those who do not work on Anzac Day receive their usual pay for the day if This proves otherwise a working day for them.

Retailers and hospitality businesses have confirmed they will operate under standard weekend trading hours on April 25, 2026, with no special restrictions applied due to the Anzac Day observance. Shops, cafes, and restaurants will be open as they would be on any other Saturday, subject to local council bylaws and individual business policies.

No nationwide surcharges are mandated by law for businesses operating on Anzac Day, though some establishments may choose to apply voluntary surcharges to cover increased staffing costs. Such surcharges must be clearly displayed and communicated to customers prior to purchase, in accordance with the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

The Returned and Services Association (RSA) has encouraged the public to attend dawn services and commemorative events on the morning of April 25, noting that the Saturday timing may allow greater community participation compared to a weekday observance. Major services are scheduled at Auckland War Memorial Museum, Wellington’s Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, and Christchurch’s Transitional Cathedral, among other locations nationwide.

Employers are advised to review their employment agreements and workplace policies to ensure compliance with holiday entitlements, particularly for shift workers and those on flexible schedules. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has published updated guidance on its website detailing pay calculations and alternative holiday entitlements for Anzac Day 2026.

As New Zealand prepares to mark the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, the fixed date observance underscores the solemn, non-commercial nature of Anzac Day, which remains distinct from other public holidays in its resistance to weekend shifting — a reflection of its enduring significance as a day of remembrance rather than leisure.