22nd April 2026
In 2026, ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday, which changes how the public holiday is observed for many New Zealanders.
While the date itself remains April 25, workplace entitlements shift under the country’s Mondayisation rules, which are designed to make the system fairer for employees whose schedules don’t include weekends.
Mondayisation was introduced to ensure workers don’t lose out when public holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday.
For fixed-date holidays like ANZAC Day, this means that if the day doesn’t land on a typical working day, it can be observed on the following Monday instead.
The policy reflects the reality that many people work standard weekday hours and would otherwise miss the benefit of a public holiday altogether.
This year, that Monday falls on April 27. For those working Monday to Friday, it effectively creates a three-day weekend without needing to use annual leave.
It can also provide an opportunity for travel, time with family, or simply a break in the working week. However, not everyone benefits in the same way, and the outcome depends on an individual’s usual work pattern.
If an employee normally works Saturdays, then ANZAC Day is recognised on April 25 for them, not the Monday. They receive their public holiday entitlements on that day only.
Those who do not usually work weekends will instead observe the holiday on Monday. The system ensures each eligible worker receives one public holiday, rather than duplicating entitlements across both days.
Importantly, the meaning of ANZAC Day itself does not move. Commemorations such as dawn services, parades, and memorial gatherings are still held on April 25, regardless of the day of the week.
The date marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915 and remains one of the most significant days of remembrance in New Zealand and Australia, honouring those who served and died in conflicts.
This creates a split experience: a solemn and nationally significant day of remembrance on Saturday, followed by a statutory day off for many on Monday.
For some, the spacing can offer additional time to reflect, attend services, or spend time with whānau.
For businesses, the arrangement also comes with added costs and planning considerations. ANZAC Day is a restricted trading day, meaning most retail outlets must close until 1 pm on April 25, which limits early trading revenue.
On top of this, employers rostering staff on either the Saturday or the Mondayised public holiday must pay time-and-a-half rates, and in some cases provide alternative leave entitlements.
For hospitality, retail, and tourism operators in particular, this can increase wage bills during a period when trading hours may already be restricted, creating a financial trade-off between compliance and demand.
There are also practical implications for businesses. ANZAC Day is a restricted trading day, meaning most shops must remain closed until 1 pm on April 25. These rules apply specifically to the Saturday.
By contrast, the Mondayised public holiday operates like a standard public holiday, so businesses can open as usual, although public holiday pay rates still apply to employees working that day.
For workers, pay and leave entitlements depend on their schedule. Anyone working on the day that is recognised as their public holiday, whether Saturday or Monday, is generally entitled to time-and-a-half pay.
If that day were otherwise a normal working day, they may also be eligible for an alternative day off at a later date.
The Mondayisation of ANZAC Day reflects a balance between tradition and modern working life. It preserves April 25 as a fixed day of remembrance, while ensuring workers still receive the benefit of a public holiday.
