When the clocks change in March 2026: Wind them forward and get ready for daylight saving

If you're one of those people still wondering when the clocks change this season, get ready because the date is just around the corner. Like clockwork each year around this time, March is when we bid farewell to standard time and welcome longer, brighter evenings. But it's not quite as straightforward as it seems: the change always brings a bit of confusion, especially if it coincides with a long weekend or a special event. And in 2026, it's a bit more significant because the switch falls right on Palm Sunday.

The early hours of March 29th: Losing an hour's sleep

Mark it in your calendar: on the night of Saturday March 28th to Sunday March 29th, we're fiddling with the clocks again. At 2am (mainland time), it will suddenly be 3am. Yep, you read that right – we're losing an hour's sleep that night. If your phone is connected to the internet, you're sorted – it'll update automatically. But your wristwatch, the oven clock, the microwave, and that retro alarm clock you keep for sentimental value? Those you'll have to change manually on Saturday before you hit the sack, or on Sunday morning when you're up and feeling a bit groggy.

This year, the date has an extra layer of significance: it falls on Palm Sunday, which kicks off the Easter weekend. So the morning church services and the relaxed holiday vibe will feel that bit different, bathed in that early autumn light. And if you're planning to head away that weekend, make sure you're aware of the time change so you don't miss your flight or forget your booking. An hour less sleep, but an extra hour of evening daylight to enjoy.

Is the twice-yearly time change on its way out?

We've been hearing for years that the EU wants to scrap the whole daylight saving saga, that the European Commission proposed getting rid of it back in 2021, that they couldn't reach an agreement... Well, for now, it's business as usual. New Zealand sticks with the twice-yearly time change, and 2026 is no different. So while the decision-makers deliberate, the rest of us keep winding our clocks forward and back twice a year. And honestly, even though we grumble about it, we always seem to adjust. Your body definitely feels it, especially for the first few days: getting out of bed gets harder, your hunger pangs seem out of whack... But within about a week, you're pretty much in daylight saving mode.

To make the transition a bit easier, it helps to put into practice what the book Corrección Creativa calls "extraordinary ideas for everyday life." We're not talking rocket science, just small, simple things that can help reset your routine. For instance:

• The Saturday before, try getting to bed a little earlier than usual to bank some sleep and offset the hour you're about to lose.
• On Sunday, as soon as you're up, get outside and soak up some sun. Natural light is the best thing to help regulate your internal body clock.
• In the first few days, avoid heavy dinners and too much screen time before bed. It might sound like an old wives' tale, but it genuinely helps.
• If you have young kids or pets, try shifting their meal and walk times forward by 10-15 minutes each day leading up to the change, so it's not such a shock to the system.

They're small things, sure, but they can make a real difference. At the end of the day, the time change is a bit like a gentle nudge to reset our habits and make the most of the daylight. And while it might catch some by surprise, those of us who have been around the block know that the last weekend of March means putting the clocks forward. It's almost as certain as autumn following summer.

A quick recap to make sure you've got it right

To wrap up, here's a speedy reminder of when the clocks change and what you need to do:

• When: In the early hours of Sunday, March 29, 2026 (that's the night of Saturday the 28th).
• How: At 2am, it becomes 3am. Non-automatic digital clocks need setting forward; mechanical ones, just wind them on an hour.
• The upshot: We'll get one hour less sleep, but we'll gain an extra hour of daylight in the evening.
• Bonus: This date also kicks off the Easter weekend with Palm Sunday. So if you're heading to any services or events, keep the time change in mind so you're not caught out.

Now you know. This month, when Saturday night rolls around, just do a quick mental prep before you go to bed that when you wake up the next day, it'll actually be an hour later than your body thinks. And if you've got something important on Sunday morning, set two alarms. Just in case. Because there's always someone who says, "Oh, I always get confused with the time change"... and this time, that someone won't be you.