Full-time workers in New Zealand are entitled to at least four weeks of paid leave per year. But with some clever calendar tweaks, you can enjoy just over a month off by using only a few of your annual leave days.
Here's how you can turn 12 days of leave into 37 days of holidays.
Christmas 2019: December 25, 2019-January 5, 2020
Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday, and you can have a 12 day holiday by taking only four days off following Boxing Day.
Working days to take off: December 27, 30, 31 and January 3
Waitangi Day: February 6
Waitangi Day falls on a Thursday in 2020. By taking the Friday off, you can enjoy a four-day weekend.
Those in Nelson can enjoy a longer break if they wish since their anniversary day falls on the Monday before Waitangi Day. By taking three days' annual leave, the region's residents can have nine days off from February 1-9.
Working day to take off: February 7
Easter: April 10-19
You can turn the Easter break into 10 days off by taking leave on the four days following Easter Monday.
Southlanders can do the same but with just three days' leave, since their anniversary day follows Easter Monday.
Working days to take off: April 14, 15, 16 and 17
Christmas 2020: December 25, 2020-January 4, 2021
It's never too soon to plan for Christmas, and for those looking ahead, you can have 11 days holiday with only three days of annual leave.
Both Boxing Day and the Day after New Year's Day fall on a Saturday and are therefore observed on the Monday. By taking off the three days following Boxing Day observed, your New Year's break will get a lot longer.
Working days to take off: December 29, 30 and 31
