Day after New Years Day in New Zealand

Many New Zealanders have the day off on January 2, also known as the Day after New Year’s Day. It is taken together with the New Year’s Day public holiday, held on January 1.

Relaxing summer fun at Hagley Park, Christchurch, New Zealand.

©iStockphoto.com/travellinglight

What do people do?

Many people take the time out to relax and unwind during the two days off – January 1 and 2 – before returning to work. It’s also a popular time to take annual vacation because of the school summer holidays, which happen in January in New Zealand. Some people go on camping trips or trips to the beach while others prefer to stay home.

Public life

The Day after New Year’s Day is a statutory public holiday in New Zealand, so schools, government offices, and many private businesses are closed. New Year’s Day is also in the middle of the school summer holidays in New Zealand.

Background

When settlers started coming to New Zealand from Britain and other parts of Europe during the mid 1800s, they had to adjust to observing Christmas and New Year’s Day in the middle of summer, rather than the winters they were used to. Many of them brought over their own traditions, including how they celebrate New Year’s Day. For example, Scottish immigrants would celebrate New Year’s Day the same way they did back in Scotland. The men would wear kilts and play the bagpipe during the New Year’s festivities.

Day after New Years Day Observances

Other holidays in January 2013 in New Zealand

• New Year's Day ―Tuesday, January 1, 2013