New Zealand is expanding paid parental leave to 26 weeks effective 1 July 2020.
Background
Under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Act 2017, the paid parental leave entitlement of 18 weeks was extended in two stages: to 22 weeks from 1 July 2018 and to 26 weeks effective 1 July 2020.
Paid parental leave is available for employees who have worked an average of 10 hours a week in at least 26 of the weeks in the year prior to the baby’s due date or the date the child under the age of 6 came into the applicant’s care. Paid parental leave is funded from general taxation revenue. A primary caregiver (subject to certain requirements) may receive weekly parental leave payments equal to the greater of the applicant’s average weekly income or ordinary weekly pay capped at a weekly amount of NZ$585.50 before tax.
Next steps
Employers should review and revise their parental leave workplace policies and procedures to comply with the revised leave grant.
