Do you have to work a public holiday? You usually can only be required to work public holidays if it is stated in your employment agreement and the public holiday is on a day you will normally work. If you would not normally work but volunteer to, you might only get time-and-a-half. This year, Christmas Day is a Thursday so the Thursday and Friday are public holidays, as well as the Thursday and Friday the following week. Public holidays during a closedown still need to be paid if they fall on days that would otherwise be working days.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 24, 2025 11:31 UTC