Shipping goods to or from New Zealand requires meticulous planning, especially when considering national holidays and celebratory dates. These dates often see business closures, which can impact supply chain operations and cause delays.

Key National Holidays in New Zealand

Some of the significant public holidays in New Zealand that can affect shipping include:

• Waitangi Day – 6 February (this day commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi)
• ANZAC Day – April 25(a day of remembrance for those who served in wars, resulting in the closure of various sectors, including shipping companies)
• King’s Birthday – Monday, 1 June 2026
• Matariki – Friday, 20 June 2025 (Māori New Year celebration)
• Labour Day – Fourth Monday in October (Monday, 27 October 2025)

Other Key Dates and Events That May Impact Shipping in New Zealand

In addition to official public holidays, several other important dates and events in New Zealand can affect shipping schedules, warehousing operations, and freight forwarding capacity. When planning your New Zealand supply chain, keep these key periods in mind:

• School Holidays
  • April, July, October, and mid-December to late January

Increased domestic travel and staff leave can reduce freight capacity, warehousing availability, and trucking services.

• Regional Anniversary Days
  • Auckland Anniversary Day (last Monday of January) – Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Wellington Anniversary Day (third Monday of January) – Thu, 22 Jan 2026

Local port and customs operations may slow down due to staff shortages or limited business hours.

• Major National Events
  • National Fieldays Agricultural Expo (June, Waikato) – 11-14 June 2025
  • All Blacks rugby test matches and international cricket tournaments

Large-scale attendance can impact trucking availability and business operations nationwide.

• Cultural Festivals
  • Chinese New Year (January/February, depending on the lunar calendar)
  • Pasifika Festival (8-9 March 2025, Auckland) – a large cultural event celebrating Pacific Island communities.

Even though Chinese New Year isn’t directly observed in New Zealand, its upstream impact on production, export capacity, and freight volumes makes it a highly relevant date for businesses importing or exporting goods.

• End of Financial Year (31 March)
  • Typically leads to a spike in shipping volumes as businesses work to finalise stock movements before closing their financial year.
    
• Shipping Peak Season (August-September)
  • Driven by Black Friday, Christmas, and summer inventory preparation, this period sees a sharp rise in freight volumes, limited vessel space, and potential rate increases across sea and air freight lanes.

New Zealand Shipping Calendar 2026

By including these extra dates, importers and exporters can expect possible delays. They can change their shipping plans for New Zealand to keep operations running smoothly.

Tips for Effective Shipping during Holiday Seasons

1. Plan Ahead: Schedule shipments well in advance of any public holiday. This proactive approach can minimise disruptions from business closures.
2. Use Experienced Shipping Partners: Collaborate with freight forwarders that have a strong understanding of New Zealand’s holiday calendar (such as ICE). They can provide valuable insights and assist in optimising your schedule for international shipping. 
3. Monitor Shipments: Regularly track shipments to make timely adjustments if necessary, ensuring you stay informed about the shipping status.

Leverage ICE’s Global Expertise, Including Our Kiwi Specialists

At International Cargo Express, our strength lies in our people.  With a team representing over 20  different nationalities — including experienced New Zealander staff across our four branches — we bring  global reach and local know-how to every shipment. 

Request your next tailored freight solution to and from New Zealand today!