🇳🇿 When Do the Clocks Change in New Zealand?
Sep 27
Sunday, September 27, 2026 - clocks go forward 1 hour (spring forward).
At 2:00 AM NZST, clocks jump forward to 3:00 AM NZDT. You lose an hour of sleep.
New Zealand clock changes - 2026 and 2027
| Year | Clocks go forward | Clocks go back |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, September 27, 2026 At 2:00 AM NZST, clocks jump forward to 3:00 AM NZDT. | Sunday, April 5, 2026 At 3:00 AM NZDT, clocks go back to 2:00 AM NZST. |
| 2027 | Sunday, September 26, 2027 At 2:00 AM NZST, clocks jump forward to 3:00 AM NZDT. | Sunday, April 4, 2027 At 3:00 AM NZDT, clocks go back to 2:00 AM NZST. |
Times are local. 2027 dates follow the current rules.
Where the clocks change
The whole country changes, including the Chatham Islands (which keep their 45-minute offset from the mainland).
The rule
Daylight saving starts at 2:00 AM on the last Sunday in September, when clocks go forward to 3:00 AM, and ends at 3:00 AM on the first Sunday in April, when clocks go back to 2:00 AM.
Common questions
When does daylight saving start in New Zealand in 2026?
Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 2:00 AM NZST, when clocks go forward to 3:00 AM NZDT.
When does daylight saving end in 2027?
Sunday, April 4, 2027 at 3:00 AM NZDT, when clocks go back to 2:00 AM NZST.
Does New Zealand change before Australia?
Yes. New Zealand springs forward on the last Sunday in September, one week before Australia moves on the first Sunday in October (September 27 and October 4 in 2026).
Sources
Source links reviewed September 25, 2026. Times computed from the IANA Time Zone Database, release 2026c.