Public holiday pay calculator NZ
If you work on a public holiday, you can't be paid less than time and a half for the hours you work.
If the public holiday falls on a day you would normally work, you also get an alternative holiday, a paid day off to take later.
How it's calculated
- Multiply your hourly rate by the hours you work on the public holiday.
- Multiply that by 1.5. That's the least your employer can pay you for those hours.
- If it's a day you would otherwise have worked, add one alternative holiday.
An example
You earn $30 an hour and work 8 hours on a public holiday that falls on a day you'd normally work. You get at least $360 for the day and a day off in lieu.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in New Zealand?
You're entitled to a maximum of 12 days public holidays a year.
What if I don't work on a public holiday that's a normal workday for me?
You get the day off with pay, as long as it falls on a day you would otherwise have worked.
Can my employer pay more than time and a half?
Yes. Time and a half is the minimum. Your employment agreement can set a higher rate.
Key terms
- Alternative holiday
- A paid day off you get for working on a public holiday that falls on a normal working day. Also called a day in lieu.
- Time and a half
- One and a half times your normal hourly rate.
Up-to-date official data
Data checked against the official source on .
We check the official sources automatically, every day.
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