Anzac Day 2026: A Guide to Trading Restrictions, Monday-isation, and New Alcohol Licensing Laws

With Anzac Day falling on a Saturday in 2026, learn about 1pm trading restrictions, the "Mondayised" public holiday, and new alcohol licensing laws.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 4:25 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Understanding the 1:00 PM Trading Rule

Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, Anzac Day remains one of the few dates in the New Zealand calendar with strictly enforced commercial restrictions. Most retail businesses must remain closed until 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 25. This half-day closure is intended to preserve the solemnity of morning commemorative events and Dawn Services. Retailers found operating outside of these hours without a specific exemption face fines of up to $1,000. It is important for shoppers to note that major supermarkets and malls will not open their doors until the early afternoon.

Monday-isation and Holiday Entitlements

Because Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, the public holiday is "Mondayised." This means that for employees who do not typically work on Saturdays, the public holiday entitlements (such as a paid day off) are transferred to Monday, April 27. However, the legal restrictions on shop trading do not transfer to Monday. All businesses are permitted to operate under normal Monday trading hours on April 27, while the 1:00 pm closure rule applies exclusively to the calendar date of Saturday, April 25.

Exemptions: What Stays Open?

Several categories of "essential" or "service-based" shops are exempt from the morning closure and may open before 1:00 pm. These include: