Parental leave increases in New Zealand

For those taking the full 26 weeks of parental leave, the change would mean they get up to an additional NZ$1,040 (US$655).

This was announced by Michael Wood, New Zealand’s Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, who said, “We know things are tough right now for many families as global inflation affects prices here at home, today’s announcement will help ease some of that pressure by putting an extra NZ$40 a week in the pockets of those new parents.”

“Parental leave supports expectant and new parents during some of the most important months of their babies’ lives, that’s why the Government is providing kiwi families with this helping hand. 

“From Friday 1 July 2022, the maximum weekly rate of paid parental leave will be increasing from NZ$621.76 (US$392) per week to NZ$661.12 (US$416) per week, a 6.3% increase before tax. 

“The extra NZ$40 (US$25) per week will help support our youngest New Zealanders’ first days, and make a difference to approximately 20,000 New Zealand families,” Wood said. 

The minimum rate for self-employed persons will also increase to NZ$212 (US$134) per week, which is equal to 10 hours of the minimum wage for an adult worker. 

“As part of our government’s promise to better support working families with new-born and young children, eligible employees can now receive parental leave payments for up to 26 weeks following changes we introduced in 2020,” the minister said. 

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“The government is committed to making sure that families and parents receive the support they need to give their new child the best start at life. Paid parental leave is one way that this is done,” Wood said, according to Mirage.