Advertisers advice

Public holiday pay and rosters for hospitality employers

Christmas, New Year and anniversary days all land in peak trading. Here's how to roster and pay them properly.

Trade Me Jobs

By Trade Me Jobs (Trade Me Jobs Content Writer)

Last updated: 30 October 2026 | 7 min read

What do you owe staff who work a public holiday?

What counts as an otherwise working day for casual and rotating staff?

What happens when a shift runs past midnight?

Can you make staff work on a public holiday?

What if you close over Christmas and New Year?

How do you keep your team rested through a long summer run?

Common questions about public holidays in hospitality

Do I have to pay time and a half on public holidays?

What if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

What is an alternative holiday?

How many public holidays can staff claim over Christmas and New Year?

Need extra hands for the busy weeks?

Author

Trade Me Jobs

Trade Me Jobs Content Writer

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