4 minute read
Most schools in New Zealand follow a holiday schedule published by the Ministry of Education, that includes a 2 week break between terms during the school year. These School Holiday periods are closely held by most Kiwis, and many families will take some time away for at least part of the break.
When Are School Holidays?
The school year in New Zealand is aligned to the calendar year, and is divided into 4 Terms of roughly 10 weeks each. There is a 2 week break between each Term, that we call School Holidays.
You can find the list of the dates for School Holidays (and Public Holidays) for this year and next here.
Why Should I Care? I Don’t Have Children in School.
Many Kiwis take time off during School Holidays to travel with their families.
Mt. Ruapehu and Tongariro are only a half-day drive from Wellington and are the closest ski fields. The South Island is a very popular destination during the School Holidays, especially Queenstown and Wānaka. Others will fly to the Northern Hemisphere for a break from the winter weather.
With so many Kiwis on the move during School Holidays, here are some key points that you should consider, even if you don’t have school aged children:
1. No Big Decisions or Announcements
Many businesses, including government agencies, will have an understanding that it’s not appropriate to make any major decisions or announcements in the days leading up to, and during School Holidays. This may not be a written policy, but timing for any thing that may be considered “big” will absolutely be measured against the School Holidays.
If you’re managing to a timeline, you should always include these dates in your planning so you’re not caught out and have to go through a replanning exercise. And if you’re expecting to negotiate a contract, or maybe even get it signed, there is a higher than average chance that it won’t happen during School Holidays.
2. Staff Shortages
With enough time and planning, most businesses will have a coverage plan for the School Holidays, but still exercise an abundance of patience. Not every business has the luxury to employ enough people to be fully staffed during this period. This includes customer facing roles as well as folks in the back office.
You may get a shocking number of automated Out of Office messages, but try to remind yourself that School Holidays are a part of Kiwi culture. It’s not laziness, it’s tradition. And the best way to deal with it, is to plan for it.
3. Travel Costs Spike
Supply and demand always drives travel costs, and School Holidays are a prime example. Flight prices usually peak at the very beginning and very end of the School Holidays, and are generally “higher than normal” throughout the two weeks.
Options for hotel, Airbnb, and Book a Bach accommodation will usually be expensive, and possibly not even available. It’s always better to book early if you’re heading out for a few days during School Holidays.
4. Traffic
One of the most obvious indications that School Holidays are on in Wellington, is the lack of rush hour traffic. Commute times, especially from the outer suburbs, seem to shrink in half as traffic simply flows into the CBD. Parking will be easy to find. Trains and buses will feel empty.
But that all changes on the last Sunday of School Holidays. Southbound traffic on State Highway 1 will start somewhere between Levin and Ōtaki. There will be a steady stream of cars driving over the Remutaka Hill on State Highway 2 from about 10am. This can all come to a rush hour-like stand still at the Ngauranga Gorge Interchange where the two roads meet.
The Takeaway
School Holidays are a charming Kiwi tradition. The disruption to daily routines is usually quite mild, and with so many cancelled meetings, some people think it’s the best time to be at work. And don’t worry, not everyone takes time off. Many parents will either work from home part of the time, and sign their children up for School Holiday programmes* to keep them entertained during the work day.
Enjoy getting to know and join into this little bit of Kiwi culture, as you get Settled in Wellington.
*School Holiday programmes deserve their own article, so we’ve added that to our backlog.
