Offset
The time difference between Central Time and New Zealand Time is 17 hours.
Central Time (CDT) is behind New Zealand Time (NZST).
CDT: UTC-5
NZST: UTC+12
Central Time is currently observing daylight saving time; New Zealand Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 4 PM–5 PM in Central Time (9 AM–10 AM the next day in New Zealand Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 4:00 PM Central Time (9:00 AM New Zealand Time).
This window may shift by an hour during daylight saving time.
Public holidays in 2026
National public holidays can affect availability — a counterpart is likely off work on their own holidays, so it's worth planning meetings and deadlines around them.
United States
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. DayMon, Jan 19
- Presidents DayMon, Feb 16
- Memorial DayMon, May 25
- Juneteenth National Independence DayFri, Jun 19
- Independence DayFri, Jul 3
- Labour DayMon, Sep 7
- Columbus DayMon, Oct 12
- Veterans DayWed, Nov 11
- Thanksgiving DayThu, Nov 26
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
New Zealand
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Day after New Year's DayFri, Jan 2
- Waitangi DayFri, Feb 6
- Good FridayFri, Apr 3
- Easter MondayMon, Apr 6
- Anzac DayMon, Apr 27
- King's BirthdayMon, Jun 1
- MatarikiFri, Jul 10
- Labour DayMon, Oct 26
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
- Boxing DayMon, Dec 28
About these zones
Central Time is also known as CST, or CDT. To call United States, dial +1.
New Zealand Time is also known as NZST, or NZDT. To call New Zealand, dial +64.
New Zealand Time is approximately 8,200 miles southwest of Central Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| CST | NZST | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 5:00 pm | Same day |
| 1:00 am | 6:00 pm | Same day |
| 2:00 am | 7:00 pm | Same day |
| 3:00 am | 8:00 pm | Same day |
| 4:00 am | 9:00 pm | Same day |
| 5:00 am | 10:00 pm | Same day |
| 6:00 am | 11:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 12:00 am | +1 day |
| 8:00 am | 1:00 am | +1 day |
| 9:00 am | 2:00 am | +1 day |
| 10:00 am | 3:00 am | +1 day |
| 11:00 am | 4:00 am | +1 day |
| 12:00 pm | 5:00 am | +1 day |
| 1:00 pm | 6:00 am | +1 day |
| 2:00 pm | 7:00 am | +1 day |
| 3:00 pm | 8:00 am | +1 day |
| 4:00 pm | 9:00 am | +1 day |
| 5:00 pm | 10:00 am | +1 day |
| 6:00 pm | 11:00 am | +1 day |
| 7:00 pm | 12:00 pm | +1 day |
| 8:00 pm | 1:00 pm | +1 day |
| 9:00 pm | 2:00 pm | +1 day |
| 10:00 pm | 3:00 pm | +1 day |
| 11:00 pm | 4:00 pm | +1 day |
Daylight saving time
Both zones observe daylight saving time, but they transition on different dates.
Central Time: next transition on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
New Zealand Time: next transition on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Central Time and New Zealand Time are in opposite hemispheres, so their clocks change in opposite directions about six months apart — one springs forward while the other falls back. The offset between them therefore shifts twice a year and can swing by up to two hours across the seasons, more than a typical same-hemisphere pair. Recurring meetings will need re-checking after each transition.
See the daylight saving time page for transition dates across every time zone.
Daylight today
- Sunrise
- 5:18 AM
- Sunset
- 8:22 PM
- Day length
- 15h 4m
- Sunrise
- 7:28 AM
- Sunset
- 5:13 PM
- Day length
- 9h 45m
Daylight overlap: 5h 54m — 2:28 PM–8:22 PM in Central Time (7:28 AM–1:22 PM in New Zealand Time). Both locations are in daylight during this window.
Cities in these zones
Cities in Central Time
Cities in New Zealand Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in Central Time
- GYY
- MDW
- ORD
- HOU
- IAH
- SAT
- DAL
- DFW
- AUS
- BNA
Airports in New Zealand Time
- AKL
- CHC
- WLG
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am CST in NZST?
- 9:00 am CST is 2:00 am NZST, the next day.
- What is 12:00 pm CST in NZST?
- 12:00 pm CST is 5:00 am NZST, the next day.
- What is 12:30 pm CST in NZST?
- 12:30 pm CST is 5:30 am NZST, the next day.
- What is 2:00 pm CST in NZST?
- 2:00 pm CST is 7:00 am NZST, the next day.
- What is 5:00 pm CST in NZST?
- 5:00 pm CST is 10:00 am NZST, the next day.
- What is 11:30 pm CST in NZST?
- 11:30 pm CST is 4:30 pm NZST, the next day.