Every school holidays, working parents face the same maths — around 10 weeks a year when school is closed but work is not. School holiday programmes fill that gap, and they are more affordable than most families realise, because the OSCAR Subsidy can cover up to $336 a week of the cost for low and middle income families. This guide covers what programmes typically cost, what to look for when choosing one, and how to make sure the subsidy applies.
What school holiday programmes cost
Most full-day holiday programmes in New Zealand advertise between about $40 and $70 a day in 2026. Council-run programmes at recreation and leisure centres usually sit at the cheaper end of that range, school-based operators in the middle, and specialist camps — sailing, coding, horse riding, performing arts — above it, sometimes well above. Many operators discount full-week bookings, so a week commonly lands between $200 and $330 per child before any subsidy.
Watch for the extras — some programmes charge separately for trips and late pick-ups, and early-bird prices can rise sharply in the last week before the holidays. A school year has about 12 weeks of holidays; if you need full-time cover for even 8 of them, you are looking at $1,600 to $2,600 per child at typical prices, which is exactly why the subsidy matters.
What the OSCAR Subsidy takes off the bill
In the school holidays the OSCAR Subsidy covers up to 50 hours a week, at an hourly rate set by your family income — from $6.72 an hour for lower income families down to $2.09 an hour near the cut-off. At the top rate that is up to $336 a week, paid straight to the programme, which can turn a $300 week into a bill of under $50. A family on the middle $5.36 rate using 45 hours gets $241.20 a week covered.
The catch is that the programme must be MSD-approved for OSCAR — most established operators are, but casual drop-in activities and some specialist camps are not. Ask the operator directly, and apply to Work and Income 3 to 4 weeks before the holidays start, because the subsidy does not backdate. Use our childcare subsidy calculator to see your rate, and the full subsidy guide for the rate tables and eligibility rules.
How to choose a programme
- OSCAR approval. If you qualify for the subsidy, this is the first question — approval also means the programme meets MSD standards for safety checks, ratios and programme quality.
- Hours that fit a working day. Core hours are often 9am to 3pm with paid early drop-off and late pick-up on top. Check the real all-in price for the hours you need.
- Where it runs. School-based programmes mean familiar surroundings and no extra commute. Leisure-centre programmes often have pools and courts on hand.
- What a day actually looks like. Good programmes publish a daily plan. A trip day every week sounds fun but costs more and suits younger children less.
- Staff and ratios. Ask how many staff per child and whether the same team runs it each holidays. High turnover is a tell.
- Cancellation terms. Kids get sick in the holidays too. Check whether unused days are refunded, credited or lost.
Finding a programme in Auckland
Auckland has the country’s deepest holiday programme market. Auckland Council runs programmes through its pools and leisure centres across the region, usually among the cheapest full-day options. National operators such as sKids, Kelly Club and Youthtown run school-based programmes in most suburbs, and the YMCA runs large multi-activity programmes at its centres. Specialist options — sailing on the harbour, museum and zoo programmes, sports academies — fill out the top end. Your school newsletter is the single best local source, because operators book school halls well before each holidays.
Finding a programme in Wellington
Wellington City Council runs holiday programmes through its recreation centres, and the same national school-based operators cover the wider region from Porirua to the Hutt Valley. Capital-specific options like Te Papa and Zealandia holiday programmes book out fast — if your children want one of those weeks, book the day enrolments open.
Working out the dates
School terms and holidays are set nationally for state schools, with four holiday breaks a year — about two weeks after each of terms 1, 2 and 3, and roughly six weeks over summer. The Ministry of Education publishes the exact dates for each year, and our public holidays hub covers the public holidays that fall inside them, when many programmes close or charge differently.
Common questions
Can I get help paying for a school holiday programme?
Yes, if your family income is under the OSCAR limits — $2,404 a week gross with one child, $2,748 with two, $3,091 with three or more — and the programme is MSD-approved. The subsidy pays $2.09 to $6.72 an hour for up to 50 hours a week in the holidays, straight to the provider.
Does FamilyBoost cover holiday programmes?
No. FamilyBoost only refunds early childhood education fees for under 5s. For school-age children, the OSCAR Subsidy is the help that exists.
What ages do holiday programmes take?
Most OSCAR programmes take children aged 5 to 13. Some operators run separate senior programmes for intermediate-age children, and a few take 14-year-olds, though the subsidy generally stops at 14 unless you get the Child Disability Allowance.
Sources
- Work and Income — OSCAR Subsidy
- Work and Income rate tables — childcare assistance, current rates
- Ministry of Education — school terms and holiday dates
Found a great programme, or a price that made your eyes water? Share it in the comments — other parents want to know.
Working on a public holiday? See our full guide to New Zealand public holiday dates, pay rules and long weekends.