NZ Public Holidays 2025

Public holidays often bring shifts in work patterns, increased workloads before breaks, or project slowdowns due to limited staffing. From a health and safety perspective, this creates risks that need proactive management. Here’s how businesses can mitigate these challenges while keeping workers safe:

1. Managing Fatigue and Mental Health

   • In industries like construction and project management, deadlines often create pressure leading up to public holidays. Overworking staff can result in fatigue, which increases the risk of accidents and errors.

   • Solution: Advanced Safety provides workshops on fatigue management and mental health awareness. Scheduling these sessions before holiday periods can ensure your team recognises and mitigates risks associated with overwork.

2. Safe Worksite Shutdowns and Restarts

   • Sites left unattended during holidays can pose safety risks, including equipment malfunctions, theft, or hazardous conditions upon return.

   • Solution: Our site safety assessments help you implement effective shutdown procedures, ensuring equipment and hazards are secured before the break. Pre-holiday checklists and post-holiday site inspections are key to preventing incidents.

3. Compliance with Employment Laws

   • Under New Zealand law, workers are entitled to paid public holidays or alternative days off if they work during these periods. Failing to comply can result in financial penalties and reputational damage.

   • Solution: Our health and safety management systems include tools for compliance tracking, helping you manage worker entitlements while avoiding costly mistakes.

4. Reduced Staffing and Emergency Preparedness

   • With fewer workers available during holidays, emergency response capabilities can be weakened, increasing risks for those still on-site.

   • Solution: Advanced Safety helps develop robust emergency response plans, ensuring remaining staff are well-prepared to handle incidents during low-staffed periods.

5. Worker Engagement and Well-being

   • Worker morale can dip during long holiday runs, especially for those required to work. Proactively engaging workers can foster a safer, more positive work environment.

   • Solution: Implementing worker participation strategies, like regular health and safety briefings or check-ins, helps identify concerns early and keeps teams aligned.