Daylight saving in NZ

In spring, we change our clocks forward 1 hour to New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT). In autumn, we change our clocks back 1 hour to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).

Daylight saving starts each year at 2am on the last Sunday in September, and ends at 3am on the first Sunday in April.

Daylight saving starts (NZDT) | 29 September 2024 at 2am

Daylight saving ends (NZST) | 6 April 2025 at 3am

A handy tip is to change your clocks the night before daylight saving starts or ends. Some clocks and devices will adjust the time automatically, while others will need you to manually change the time.

• In spring — forward 1 hour, for example, from 10pm to 11pm.
• In autumn — back 1 hour, for example, from 10pm to 9pm.

Governing legislation

Our timezone, the daylight saving dates and the rules around what happens if you are working when the clocks change are governed by 2 pieces of legislation.

History of daylight saving in NZ

New Zealand first introduced daylight saving time in 1927. The current times have been fixed since 2007.

Public attitudes to daylight saving

The 2008 survey found that 82% of New Zealanders approved of the 2007 extension to the period of daylight saving time.