Day After New Year's Day

Day After New Year's Day History

The Day After New Year's Day is a public holiday in New Zealand, aimed at offering people a day to recover and relax after the busy festive season. This day is an opportunity for families, friends, and communities to slow down and take a breather after welcoming the New Year. The importance of this holiday lies in promoting healthy work-life balance and fostering a stronger sense of wellbeing amongst New Zealanders.

While the Day After New Year's Day marks the end of the Christmas-New Year holiday period in many countries, its roots can be traced back to the early British settlers who introduced the practice in the 19th century. New Zealand, as a former British colony, adopted this holiday as a way to honour the British tradition while also acknowledging the unique nature of the Kiwi culture. Today, it is a statutory public holiday, which means that employees who work on this day are entitled to receive time-and-a-half pay and a paid day off in lieu.

In New Zealand, people observe the Day After New Year's Day in various ways, ranging from traditional family gatherings to outdoor activities. Some families hold barbecues and take leisurely strolls or play games at local parks or beaches. Others use the day to attend summer festivals or watch sporting events such as cricket matches. The Day After New Year’s Day is observed on January 2nd each year, or the following Monday if January 2nd falls on a weekend.

Day After New Year's Day Facts & Quotes

• Although government buildings, schools and many private businesses are closed on the Day after New Year's Day, busses still run throughout the country.
• New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the New Day. During the summer months, New Zealand is on GMT+13 time, meaning that New Zealand's New Year is one of the first in the world.
• The Māori of New Zealand celebrate their New Year based on the lunar calendar. It usually falls in or around June.
• You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. - CS Lewis
• Tomorrow is the first blank page for a 365 page book. Write a good one. - Brad Paisley, American country singer
• In certain cultures, it is believed that the first thing done on the Day After New Year's Day will influence the course of the entire year, so people often engage in activities they want to pursue throughout the year.

In the News and Trending for Day After New Year's Day

Day After New Year's Day Top Events and Things to Do

• Take a long family vacation. New Year's falls on the summer holiday for New Zealanders so take advantage of the time off to leave the country or visit uncharted territory in New Zealand.
• Host a New Year's BBQ with your friends and family. Have the BBQ at a park or near a pool to take advantage of the weather.
• If you haven't already, make your New Year's resolutions. This holiday provides one extra day before work resumes to sort out your resolutions.
• Spread awareness for the day on social media using hashtags #DayafterNewYears, #NewYearNewThings and #KiwiNewYear.
• Watch a movie about the New Year. Some of our favorites are: New Year's Eve (2011), A Kiss at Midnight (2008) and 200 Cigarettes (1999).