How many hours is GMT behind NZST?
As abbreviations, NZST is always 12 hours ahead of GMT: GMT is UTC+0 and NZST is UTC+12. To convert, add 12 hours.
Check which label you actually need: NZST (New Zealand Time is on NZDT today). A time written with an abbreviation that is not in use is usually meant as the local time, so convert between the places instead: right now NZST is 13 hours ahead of GMT.
When the GMT to NZST time difference changes
For most of the year NZST is 13 hours ahead of GMT. From 4 April to 25 September 2027, NZST is 12 hours ahead of GMT instead, because the two places change their clocks on different dates. Meetings booked by the usual gap land an hour off in those weeks.
| Dates | NZST vs GMT | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 27 September 2026 to 31 December 2026 | 13 hours ahead | 96 days |
| 1 January 2027 to 3 April 2027 | 13 hours ahead | 93 days |
| 4 April 2027 to 25 September 2027 | 12 hours ahead | 175 days |
| 26 September 2027 to 31 December 2027 | 13 hours ahead | 97 days |
Calling hours for GMT and NZST
- When NZST is 13 hours ahead of GMT: no shared 09:00 to 17:00 hours; try 07:00 in GMT (20:00 in NZST).
- When NZST is 12 hours ahead of GMT: no shared 09:00 to 17:00 hours; try 07:00 in GMT (19:00 in NZST).