Lucky Kiwis get more time off than most

New Zealanders enjoy more annual leave than those in other countries. Photo / Thinkstock

As we tough out our longest stretch without a public holiday, here's the good news — Kiwis are among the luckiest in the world for annual leave and beat America hands down.

What's more, we're heading to the US in increasing numbers to rub their noses in it.

New Zealand's 30 days of paid annual leave ranks 12th in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, matching European powerhouses Germany and Belgium.

With 11 weeks since our Queen's Birthday break and eight weeks until Labour Day, workers may feel disheartened, but consider US workers, who have no legislated holidays.

Some US employers allow up to 10 days off a year for such celebrations as Thanksgiving and Independence Day, but payment is up to the employer.

The Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington DC has published a report entitled One in four US workers have no paid vacation. "It's a national embarrassment that 28 million Americans don't get any paid vacation or paid holidays," said John Schmitt, senior economist and report co-author.

Incidentally, New Zealanders are increasingly choosing to holiday in the US, Flight Centre spokesman Simon McKearney said. Flight Centre had noted more Kiwis double-dipping - stopping off in Hawaii - on their US jaunts.

McKendry said Bali had also become more accessible because of Air New Zealand's flight scheduling, but Fiji, Samoa, Rarotonga and the Gold Coast were still favourites.