Who is eligible for parental leave?
What paid parental leave am I entitled to?
How do I apply for parental leave?
Who is eligible for parental leave?
Paid parental leave (once called maternity leave) is available:
- to an employee (it can be either parent) who is having a baby or adopting a child under six, who has worked for their employer
- for an average of at least 10 hours per week, and
- at least one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month, and
- for either 6 months or 12 months before the baby's expected due date (or adoption of a child)
- a self-employed person who is having a baby or adopting a child under six (and will be the primary caregiver), who has worked an average of at least 10 hours a week over the six or 12 months immediately before the expected date of the baby's bith (or adoption of a child).
What paid parental leave am I entitled to?
If your have worked for your employer for at least 6 months (or been self-employed and working for at least 6 months) you would be entitled to 14 weeks' paid parental leave.
If you have worked for your employer for at least 12 months (or been self-employed and working for at least 12 months), you would also be entitled to up to 52 weeks' unpaid leave (minus any paid parental leave you take).
The maximum level of payment is defined by IRD and is called the maximum payment amount.The maximum payment amount can change on 1 July each year. As of 1 July 2011 the maximum payment amount is $458.82.
If you are an employee eligible for paid parental leave, you would receive either your gross weekly rate of pay (your pay before tax) or the maximum payment amount - whichever is lower.
If you are self-employed parent:
- If your weekly net earnings over the last 6 or 12 months was less than the maximum payment amount you would receive 100 percent of your net earnings.
- If your weekly net earnings over the last 6 or 12 months was greater than or equal to the maximum payment amount, you would receive the maximum payment amount.
These are the minimum legal requirements. If you are an employee, your employment agreement may offer you more, so it's worth speaking with your employer about your individual circumstances. For more information on financial assistance available for new parents, see our information on Family Assistance.
How do I apply for parental leave?
To apply for parental leave you must send your employer a letter no less than 3 months before your baby is due. This letter should say
- that you’re asking for parental leave
- when you want the leave to start
- how long you intend to be on leave
If you are sharing any leave with your spouse or partner you should also say
- the dates on which you and your spouse or partner plan to start and finish each period of leave
- your spouse or partner’s name and, if they are an employee, the name and address of their work
- that you and your spouse or partner are both eligible for the leave you are applying for
- that the total amount of leave you and your spouse/partner are taking will be no more than 52 weeks
You must attach a doctor’s or midwife’s certificate saying when the baby is due.
You can take up to 52 weeks of continuous parental leave which can start up to six weeks before you give birth. Sometimes you can start parental leave earlier than six weeks before the due date, if directed by your doctor for example. If you have any questions you can call the Department of Labour on 0800 20 90 20 for more information or go to the Department of Labour website. The 52 weeks of leave may be shared between you and your partner. Up to the first 14 weeks of the parental leave period may be paid parental leave. Any additional parental leave is unpaid unless your employer agrees otherwise.