April brings autumn colour, the first school holidays of the year and, in most years, Easter. Many of the month's best-known events are tied to the Easter long weekend, so dates move around from year to year.
Use this guide to plan ahead, then confirm the exact dates for the year you are travelling.
Annual April events
Auckland Easter Show
Auckland's long-running Easter show at the Auckland Showgrounds in Epsom brings together carnival rides, farm animals, live entertainment and an art show over the Easter long weekend. Easter can fall in late March or April.
National Jazz Festival, Tauranga
The oldest jazz festival in the Southern Hemisphere is built around Easter, with concerts, the National Youth Jazz Competition and street performances across Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. It now runs for around 11 days.
Arrowtown Autumn Festival
Arrowtown's golden autumn trees are the backdrop for a parade, market day, food and wine events and family activities, usually in mid April.
Anzac Day, 25 April
Dawn services and civic ceremonies are held in cities and towns around the country. Auckland War Memorial Museum and Wellington's Pukeahu National War Memorial Park host some of the largest services. Roads close early, so plan drop-offs carefully.
Flavours of Plenty, Bay of Plenty
A food festival with long lunches, farm tours and producer events across the region, running from mid April into early May.
April sport
- Christchurch Marathon: a flat course based in Hagley Park, held in April.
- Waterfront Half Marathon, Auckland: a popular half marathon along Auckland's waterfront in April.
- Super Rugby Pacific: home games every weekend in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Getting your group there
Big April events bring road closures, limited parking and long taxi queues at the end of the night. A private minibus or coach keeps your group together, gets you to the official drop-off zone and takes everyone home at a set time.
- Book early for long weekends and the biggest festivals, as coaches in the host town are often fully booked weeks ahead.
- Check the event's transport page for the bus drop-off point before you confirm pick-up times.
- Allow extra time after the last act or final whistle for crowds to clear.
- For multi-day festivals, ask about a return trip on each day or a single drop-off and pick-up.
Frequently asked questions
When is Easter in New Zealand?
Easter moves each year, falling between late March and late April. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, and the Tuesday after Easter is a school holiday.
Can we book a coach for an Anzac Day dawn service?
Yes. Early-morning trips are common for school and community groups. Let us know the service location and we will plan around the road closures.
Book group transport for April events
Bus Hire NZ arranges minibuses and coaches for groups of all sizes, from 11-seat minibuses to 53-seat coaches, with professional drivers who know the venues, the drop-off points and the event traffic plans.
Tell us your event, date and group size through our quick quote form, and we will come back with options.