Every year from late November onwards, you start hearing it everywhere:
“I want this done before we break for Christmas.”
“Can we circle back on this in the New Year?”
“Let’s be honest – nothing really happens in January or February.”
It perfectly captures that familiar Kiwi office rhythm – a mad scramble to wrap everything up before the holidays, followed by a collective mental pause as summer takes over. The long gulf between pre-Christmas wrap-up and post-New Year restart becomes like a wall you have to climb.
Lately, the media has been buzzing about what some are calling the “Great Kiwi Shutdown,” both here in Aotearoa and internationally. Headlines like “See you in March? Debate in New Zealand over extremely long summer break” from The Guardian capture the conversation. Some say the shutdown stretches from November through February, while others argue that New Zealand doesn’t properly get going until March.
As cultural historian Richard Wolfe notes:
“Leaving town over Xmas and January has become a key part of the local cultural identity.” – Richard Wolfe
Our long summer holiday is so ingrained that the New Zealand History | Nga korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa website even describes it as the “End-of-year prize for being a New Zealander”
Depending on who you ask, it’s either a cherished national tradition… or a productivity nightmare. But, as with most things, it isn’t that simple.
Two sides to the story
1. Protect the break at all costs
End-of-year prize for being a New Zealander – New Zealand History | Nga korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa
Summer in New Zealand, like in other parts of the Southern Hemisphere, hits differently.
Christmas and New Year land right in the middle of long, warm days – not in the depths of winter like the Northern Hemisphere. The lure of beach trips, lazy afternoons at the campsite, or a good book under the tree with a cool drink in the sun isn’t just appealing… it makes perfect sense.
It’s a time when children return home from university, families and whānau reconnect, and jandals are dusted off as shorts become the usual attire. The pace of life slows, routines fall by the wayside, and the usual pressure eases.
For many Kiwis, summer isn’t just a holiday – it’s a full reset before the next year kicks into gear. For some, it’s the only real break they get all year, because that’s when most people are on holiday. That’s what makes it sacred.
2. The frustration of the “shutdown”
“Even when businesses are physically back at work many are ‘easing into it’, not properly working until rather later than their actual holidays” – Simon Bridges
Then there’s the other side.
Projects stall. Decisions get pushed out. The inevitable “let’s circle back in February” often means nothing meaningful happens for weeks. Economists are putting price tags on it – Stuff reports that the long summer shutdown “may be costing the country billions in lost productivity.” Ambitious people feel their momentum has been hijacked, while business owners are caught between respecting the season and keeping things moving.
Even when businesses are physically back at work, many are “easing into it,” not properly working until later than their actual holidays – as Simon Bridges, head of the Auckland Business Chamber, points out.
It can be frustrating – especially if you prefer momentum, have projects that need attention, and aren’t planning a big break yourself.
Not everyone gets a choice
Of course, not every business closes down over January to enjoy a peaceful break, and not every employee gets a say in the matter.
Hospitality and retail, for example, are often at full tilt during the summer – employing extra casual staff to handle the busiest period of the year while everyone else is on holiday. For these industries, the long summer break isn’t a pause, it’s peak season.
Meanwhile, some workplaces shut down completely, requiring all staff to take annual leave – whether they want to or not. These shutdowns often serve a practical purpose too, not just tradition: health and safety considerations, maintenance, or regulatory requirements mean it’s safer and more efficient to close entirely for a short period.
Others keep going because they have to, even though half their clients are away, which can create a strange rhythm of being “open but not fully operating.”
Is Summer a time for slowing down?
No wonder people feel pulled in different directions – physically present in the office but mentally still on holiday, balancing work obligations with the slower summer rhythm. And yet, this is just one way of approaching the seasons.
Across the world, different cultures and traditions work with the seasons in varied ways. In some, the long, warm days of summer are actually the time to be most active and productive. The cooler, darker months are reserved for rest, reflection, and restoration.
In Aotearoa, we often do the opposite – leaning into rest when the days are longest and brightest. It’s a useful reminder that there isn’t one “right” way to work with the seasons – just different approaches to balancing activity, rest, and productivity.
So what do we do with all of this?
Here’s where I’ve landed. There’s no right or wrong – but there is being intentional.
High performance isn’t about always being “on.” It’s not about switching off just because the calendar says so. It’s about choosing consciously.
- If you’re working, work with clarity.
- If you’re resting, rest without guilt.
The danger is drifting – half-working, half-resting, and doing neither well. You get the benefits of neither.
If you’re choosing to rest this summer
Please don’t feel guilty.
Rest isn’t a reward you need to earn. It’s a tool that fuels everything that comes next.
Intentional rest might look like:
- A digital declutter for a few days
- Slow mornings
- Leaving space for play and spontaneity
- Proper sleep
- Time with the people who make you feel grounded
Rest done well is one of the most underrated performance strategies we have. Your brain and body aren’t machines. They need the pause.
If you’re choosing to work this summer
A lot of ambitious people like to use the quieter months to get ahead.
If that’s you, try:
- Set a clear focus for December–January instead of trying to do everything.
- Treat the calm as an opportunity for deeper work or strategic thinking.
- Create boundaries that protect your attention – especially from the “holiday haze” around you.
- Notice if resentment creeps in and gently let it go. Other people resting isn’t a threat to your goals.
This is where small steps shine. You don’t need to conquer the world in January. Just keep moving forward, intentionally.
The real issue isn’t the holiday – it’s the unintentional drifting
It’s easy to mentally clock off in November without realising it. Or to come back in February still feeling foggy. That’s usually where the frustration lies – not in the break itself, but in the vagueness around it.
A simple question to anchor yourself: What am I choosing to do – rest or work? Once you’ve named it, everything feels clearer.
A few reflection prompts for your summer
- How do I want to feel on 1 February?
- What would make this break (or this work period) meaningful for me?
- What’s one small step I can take now to support that intention?
Closing thoughts
The Great Kiwi Shutdown isn’t going anywhere. It’s baked into who we are as a country – and our seasons play a huge part in that. When Christmas aligns with sunshine, long days, and the lure of the beach, it’s no wonder we lean into rest more than most.
But we get to choose how we move through it.
- Rest intentionally.
- Work intentionally.
- And give yourself permission to do it your way.
Need help planning your summer (or 2026) with purpose, clarity, and small, sustainable steps? You’re always welcome to book a free Action Game Plan session with me. Here’s to a summer that supports you – whichever path you’re choosing.
About the author
Josie Askin is a high performance coach, speaker, and the founder of Spring Coaching. She works with driven leaders, business owners, and teams who want to achieve more – without burning out in the process.
With nearly two decades in government and advisory roles, Josie saw first-hand the cost of chronic overwork and the pressure to always be “on.” Her work blends evidence-based coaching, lived experience as an athlete, and practical strategies to help people lead themselves – and others – more sustainably.
Through tailored coaching, workshops, and talks, Josie helps ambitious people make meaningful progress with clarity, energy, and purpose.
Keen to stay connected?
Follow Josie on LinkedIn, or head to www.spring-coaching.com to book a free Action Game Plan session and explore ways to work together.
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash