# New Zealand Daylight Saving 2026–27: Group Timings > New Zealand daylight saving runs from 27 September 2026 to 4 April 2027. What the clock changes mean for group timings. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-20-new-zealand-daylight-saving-2026-27-group-timings/ Planning 20 October 2026 · Explera Trade Desk · 3 min read ![A laptop showing a spreadsheet beside printed papers on a desk](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/laptop-spreadsheet-printed-papers-desk-1400.webp) **Short answer:** New Zealand daylight saving started at 2 am on 27 September 2026 and ends at 3 am on 4 April 2027, when clocks go back one hour. Until then the country runs on NZDT, 13 hours ahead of UTC. Explera DMC New Zealand checks every flight, transfer and tour time against the right offset. The dates follow a fixed rule: daylight saving runs from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April. The next season starts on 26 September 2027. ## What are the dates? - **Started:** 2 am on Sunday 27 September 2026, when clocks moved forward to 3 am. - **Ends:** 3 am on Sunday 4 April 2027, when clocks go back to 2 am. - **The offset:** NZDT is UTC+13 during daylight saving. The rest of the year New Zealand is on NZST, UTC+12. - **Chatham Islands:** the islands keep their own time, 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand, and change on the same dates. ![Papers and a laptop on a desk below a wall calendar](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/wall-calendar-desk-papers-laptop-700.webp) *Papers and a laptop on a desk below a wall calendar* ## What does it mean for a group programme? - **The gap to your market moves.** Other countries change their clocks on different dates, or not at all, so the time difference to your clients' home city can change during their trip. Check it for each travel date. - **4 April 2027 has 25 hours.** On that Sunday the hour from 2 am to 3 am happens twice. We check early-morning transfers, departures and tour pick-ups that day. - **Evenings get shorter in April.** Once clocks go back, it gets dark about an hour earlier in the evening. We move sunset cruises, late walks and stargazing to suit. - **Flight times are local.** Airline schedules show local time on each date, so a flight booked months ahead already follows the change. Our ground times follow the airline's local times. ![An airliner wing above the clouds at sunrise](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/airliner-wing-sunrise-above-clouds-626.webp) *An airliner wing above the clouds at sunrise* ## How to brief clients - **Phones change by themselves.** Most phones update the time automatically. Travel alarm clocks and some watches do not. - **Confirm times in local time.** All times in our itineraries and vouchers are New Zealand local time on the day. - **Plan the first evening.** On long-haul arrivals, a light first evening helps clients adjust to the new time. ## How Explera DMC New Zealand can help We check every time in a programme against the date it falls on. See our [month-by-month guide to selling New Zealand](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-best-time-to-sell-new-zealand-month-by-month/), our [2027 school and public holidays guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-11-new-zealand-school-public-holidays-2027-group-planning/) and our [pre-departure client briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-08-new-zealand-pre-departure-client-briefing/). ## FAQ **When does daylight saving end in New Zealand in 2027?** At 3 am on Sunday 4 April 2027, when clocks go back one hour to 2 am. **What time zone is New Zealand in during daylight saving?** NZDT, which is UTC+13. The rest of the year New Zealand is on NZST, UTC+12. **When does the next daylight saving period start?** At 2 am on Sunday 26 September 2027. **Do the Chatham Islands follow the same time?** No. The Chatham Islands are 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand, but they change their clocks on the same dates. **Do flight times change with daylight saving?** Airline schedules show local time on each date, so they already follow the change. We match our ground times to them. ## Sources - [Daylight saving in NZ](https://www.govt.nz/browse/recreation-and-the-environment/daylight-saving/), New Zealand Government (govt.nz) - [Governing legislation for daylight saving](https://www.govt.nz/browse/recreation-and-the-environment/daylight-saving/governing-legislation/), New Zealand Government (govt.nz) ## Talk to the trade desk Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal [b2b.expleradmc.com](https://b2b.expleradmc.com). ## Talk to the trade desk *Your New Zealand DMC partner* From a single FIT to series groups and full MICE programmes, every New Zealand proposal is costed by hand against your brief at net rates. Send your requirements as a new email with a descriptive subject line. [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090) ## More from the trade blog. *Keep reading* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/rss.xml) - [Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve: Group Visits](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-20-te-tapuwae-o-rongokako-marine-reserve-gisborne-groups/) - [Chinese Visitors via Australia: NZeTA Trial for Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-19-chinese-visitors-via-australia-nzeta-trial-groups/) - [NZ Beach Safety for Groups: Swim Between the Flags](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-19-new-zealand-beach-safety-swim-between-flags-groups/)