Shortest Day Of The Year 2024 Nz 2024. In new zealand, the winter solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year, occurs on friday, june 21, 2024, at 8:50 am. Solstices take place twice a year — whenever the earth’s axis is closest to (summer) or furthest away (winter) from the sun.

This is when the earth’s axis is tilted furthest. Aotearoa is set to have its shortest day of the year on friday as winter solstice approaches the southern hemisphere.