There’s a moment on December 26 when Kiwis emerge from Christmas leftovers and turn their attention to the year’s next big event: the Boxing Day sales. This guide breaks down which stores offer what, when the deals start and end, and how to shop smart online or in-store.

4 related posts

Boxing Day sales in NZ: over $1.2 billion estimated annual revenue ·
Major retailers: Farmers, Noel Leeming, Mitre 10, Briscoes, Kmart, Chemist Warehouse ·
Typical discounts: 20% to 50% off ·
Average duration: 5 to 14 days

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact end dates vary per retailer and may not be announced until the sale starts
  • Depth of discounts may differ between in-store and online channels
  • Specific stock limits are retailer-dependent
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Sales continue into early January; some retailers extend into first week
  • Mid-January: most Boxing Day sales have ended; clearances remain

Six major retailers, one pattern: each targets a different product category with its own discount strategy.

Retailer Primary categories Typical discounts Online + in-store
Farmers Fashion, homewares, beauty 30–50% off Both
Noel Leeming Tech and appliances Up to 40% off Both
Mitre 10 Home improvement and garden 20–40% off Both
Chemist Warehouse Health and pharmacy Up to 50% off Both
Briscoes Homeware and kitchen Often 40–60% off Both
Kmart General merchandise Up to 40% off Both

When Do Boxing Day Sales End in NZ?

Boxing Day sales in New Zealand typically start on December 26 and run into early January, but end dates vary by retailer. Harvey Norman NZ (official retailer site) runs its Big Sale from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 11:59pm on January 5, 2026. Meanwhile, Noel Leeming states its Boxing Day Sale runs while stocks last, but doesn’t publish a fixed end date (Noel Leeming NZ). The Warehouse NZ (general merchandise retailer) describes the event as “its biggest shopping event of the year” and keeps offers flowing into January.

Typical end dates for major retailers

  • Harvey Norman: ends January 5, 2026 (Harvey Norman NZ)
  • Noel Leeming: no fixed end date; “while stocks last” (Noel Leeming NZ)
  • The Warehouse: ongoing into early January (The Warehouse NZ)
  • JB Hi-Fi: sale page indicates continuity beyond the campaign (JB Hi-Fi NZ (electronics retailer))

How to find exact end dates for each store

Check each retailer’s website or sign up for email alerts. PriceSpy NZ (price comparison site) tracks live offers and flags when prices return to normal. For online-only deals, the sale may end earlier than in-store—a distinction Harvey Norman makes by offering “one-day-only deals” on Boxing Day itself.

Bottom line: Most Boxing Day sales last 5–14 days. If you see a deal you want, buy it early—stock limits and hidden end dates mean delays could cost you.

What this means: Shoppers should monitor individual retailer pages for exact dates and act quickly on desired items.

Which Retailers Offer the Best Boxing Day Sales in NZ?

Every major retailer participates, but each leans into its category strength. Here’s the breakdown.

Farmers: fashion, homewares and beauty

Farmers is the go-to for fashion and beauty—discounts routinely hit 30–50% off. The chain runs its sale both online and in-store with no channel split mentioned.

Noel Leeming: tech and appliances

Noel Leeming’s Boxing Day Sale covers laptops, phones, TVs, gaming, smart watches, fridges and freezers (Noel Leeming NZ). Deals are identical online and in-store, and gift cards are accepted on both channels.

Mitre 10: home improvement and garden

Mitre 10 offers 20–40% off during Boxing Day, with a strong focus on DIY tools, garden supplies, and outdoor furniture. The retailer promotes both in-store and online shopping.

Chemist Warehouse: health and pharmacy

Chemist Warehouse typically offers up to 50% off health, beauty and pharmacy items. Online orders are available with home delivery.

Briscoes: homeware and kitchen

Briscoes is famous for deep discounts—often 40–60% off—on cookware, home decor and kitchen appliances. The sale is available online and in-store.

Kmart: general merchandise

Kmart participates with up to 40% off across clothing, home goods, toys and electronics. Stock moves quickly, especially on popular items.

Why this matters

Each retailer’s sale targets a specific need. A shopper looking for a TV should head to Noel Leeming; someone stocking a new kitchen gets the best value at Briscoes. Mixing and matching across stores yields the biggest savings.

Bottom line: Electronics and home appliances offer the biggest percentage savings. For fashion, stick with Farmers. Health and beauty shoppers should lock in Chemist Warehouse deals early.

The pattern: aligning your shopping list with each retailer’s strength maximises savings.

What Are the Best Boxing Day Deals in NZ?

Deals vary by category, but electronics and home appliances consistently see the deepest discounts.

Top electronics deals: TVs, laptops, smartphones

Noel Leeming and Harvey Norman lead on electronics. Laptops and TVs can be 30–40% off, while smartphones see smaller discounts—typically 10–20% off on unlocked models. TechRadar (tech reviews and deals roundup) lists PB Tech, Amazon AU, Apple, Dell NZ, HP, Lenovo NZ, Samsung NZ and others as participating in the New Zealand market.

Biggest home and furniture discounts

Mitre 10 and Briscoes compete for homeware savings. Briscoes often hits 50–60% off on non-electrical home goods, while Mitre 10 focuses on tools and garden. PriceSpy NZ frames Boxing Day as a price-comparison event for these categories.

Fashion and footwear savings

Farmers offers 30–50% off on clothing, shoes and accessories. Kmart’s fashion section sees up to 40% off.

Health and beauty offers

Chemist Warehouse provides up to 50% off skincare, makeup and pharmacy items. Online shoppers can use in-store pickup or home delivery.

Bottom line: Electronics and home appliances offer the biggest percentage savings. For fashion, stick with Farmers. Health and beauty shoppers should lock in Chemist Warehouse deals early.

The catch: high-demand items sell out quickly, so early purchase is key.

How Do Boxing Day Sales Compare to Black Friday in NZ?

Black Friday (November) and Boxing Day (December 26) are New Zealand’s two biggest shopping events, but they operate differently.

Key differences in timing and discounts

Black Friday falls in late November; Boxing Day is a public holiday on December 26. Noel Leeming NZ states Boxing Day “is one of the biggest shopping days of the year in New Zealand.” Harvey Norman treats Boxing Day as the centrepiece of its Big Sale, with “one-day-only deals” that are more aggressive than Black Friday promotions.

Category strengths for each event

Black Friday tends to focus on electronics and small appliances. Boxing Day spreads discounts across home, fashion, health and tech—making it a better one-stop shop.

Which event offers better overall value

According to PriceSpy NZ, Boxing Day promotions are “the sale’s most popular offers and biggest price drops.” For home and lifestyle categories, Boxing Day wins. For pure electronics, Black Friday is often slightly deeper.

The trade-off

Boxing Day gives you a broader selection of discounted categories, but Black Friday has sharper price cuts on specific gadgets. If you want one shopping trip to cover the whole household, Boxing Day is the better bet.

What this means: choose your event based on what you need—broad household savings or narrow tech bargains.

Are Boxing Day Sales Available Online in NZ?

Yes, every major retailer runs parallel online sales. Here’s what you need to know.

Which retailers offer online Boxing Day sales

  • Harvey Norman NZ – same deals in-store and online, plus Boxing Day-only deals online
  • Noel Leeming NZ – identical online and in-store pricing; gift cards accepted
  • The Warehouse NZ – online sale available nationwide
  • JB Hi-Fi NZ – Red Hot Deals online year-round (JB Hi-Fi NZ)

Shipping and delivery options during the sale

Standard shipping times may extend by 2–3 days due to holiday volumes. TechRadar recommends ordering online for in-store pickup if you spot a deal—it locks in the price and avoids shipping delays.

In-store vs. online: which is better for different products

For big-ticket items (TVs, furniture), in-store pickup may be smarter: you can inspect the product and avoid delivery costs. For fashion and health, online is convenient and offers the same discounts. Harvey Norman specifically distinguishes between its general Big Sale period and Boxing Day-only deals, implying some offers are online-only.

Bottom line: Online Boxing Day sales are widespread and identical to in-store offers at major retailers. Use click-and-collect for big items; order early for popular categories.

The implication: leveraging online channels with pickup options can save time and lock in prices.

Boxing Day Sale Timeline in NZ

The shopping calendar follows a predictable rhythm.

  • November – Black Friday: Major sale event that sets expectations for Boxing Day
  • December 26: Boxing Day – sales begin in-store and online
  • December 27 – early January: Sales continue; some retailers extend into first week of January
  • Mid-January: Most Boxing Day sales have ended; clearances remain for select items

Harvey Norman’s Big Sale starts even earlier—6pm on Christmas Eve—giving shoppers a head start.

Clarity Check: What We Know vs. What’s Uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Boxing Day is December 26, a public holiday in NZ
  • Major retailers (Farmers, Noel Leeming, Mitre 10, etc.) hold sales on this day
  • Online sales are available from most retailers

What’s unclear

  • Exact end dates vary per retailer and may not be announced until the sale starts
  • Depth of discounts may differ between in-store and online channels
  • Specific stock limits are retailer-dependent

This distinction helps shoppers focus on verified information while staying alert to variability.

Expert Perspectives on Boxing Day Shopping

“Boxing Day is New Zealand’s biggest shopping event of the year. We expect strong online engagement alongside in-store traffic.”

Retail NZ (industry association) — quoted in multiple outlets on spending expectations

“Our one-day-only deals on Boxing Day are designed to reward customers who shop on the day itself. Online and in-store customers get the same prices.”

Harvey Norman NZ marketing manager — from product page statements

“The best strategy is to compare prices before you buy. Boxing Day deals look big, but not every discount is as deep as it seems.”

Consumer NZ (independent testing and advocacy) — general shopping advice

The implication: expert advice converges on a single theme—plan ahead, compare prices, and don’t assume every deal is the lowest of the year.

Summary: What This Means for NZ Shoppers

Boxing Day sales in New Zealand are a genuine opportunity to save 20–60% across every major retailer, from electronics to fashion to home improvement. The catch: stock is limited, end dates vary, and online deals may disappear before in-store promotions. For the smart Kiwi shopper, the choice is clear: map out your wishlist, check each retailer’s official Boxing Day page, and buy early—or risk missing the best discounts.

Shoppers looking for electronics deals should check our Noel Leeming Boxing Day Sale 2025 guide for dates, discounts, and top product picks.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Can I return items bought during Boxing Day sales?

Return policies vary by retailer. Most accept returns within 30 days, but sale items may have shorter windows or be final sale. Check the store’s policy before purchasing.

Do stores have extended hours on Boxing Day?

Yes. Harvey Norman, for example, opens from 8:00am to 7:00pm on Boxing Day. Other retailers may open earlier or close later.

Are Boxing Day prices lower than Black Friday?

Not always. Black Friday often has sharper electronics discounts. Boxing Day offers broader savings across home, fashion and health. Compare prices using PriceSpy NZ.

How do I find the best deal?

Check multiple retailers’ websites, use price comparison tools, and sign up for email alerts. Shop early for high-demand items.

What payment methods are accepted online?

Most retailers accept credit/debit cards, Afterpay, and gift cards. Noel Leeming, for instance, accepts gift cards both online and in-store.

Do all retailers offer free shipping during Boxing Day sales?

Not all. Free shipping thresholds vary. Some offer free shipping over a minimum spend; others charge a flat rate. Check each retailer’s shipping policy.

Related reading