Monday, December 28, 2009



Time to Mondayize our public holidays

Today is nominal Boxing Day. While the day itself was on Saturday, the public holiday is Mondayized, to ensure workers get their day off regardless. But while we're enjoying our three day weekend, we might want to look ahead to 2010, when both Waitangi Day and Anzac Day fall on a weekend. These holidays are not Mondayized, and so the net result will be that we get two holidays fewer than we are entitled to.

In Australia, ANZAC Day is Mondayised. While the commemorations happen on the day itself, the holiday is shifted to the Monday to give everyone a day off. We could do the same here - and for Waitangi Day too.

For Waitangi Day, the law change is trivial. For Anzac Day, its a bit more difficult, thanks to overlap with Easter (in 2011, Anzac Day coincides with Easter Monday) - but this too can be solved. So, anybody want to bring a bill?