Paid maternity leave

Under current legislation, employers are not required to provide women with any paid maternity leave. New Zealand employers are only required to provide 12 months of unpaid leave to permanent employees who have worked for at least 12 months prior to taking parental leave. See maternity leave entitlements.

Of course, many employers understand the benefit of providing paid maternity leave to attract and retain great employees. Other employers may offer their employees with a bonus to encourage them to return to work.

14 weeks paid maternity leave

Currently, 14 weeks of paid maternity leave is available to families. The payment is made by the Government and not employers.

Generally, 18 weeks of paid maternity leave will be for mothers of a newborn child or the parent of an adopted child. To get the payment, you must:

• be in paid work;
• have worked for the same employer for an average of at least 10 hours a week, and at least one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month, and
• have worked for the same employer in the six or 12 months immediately before the baby’s expected due date or the date you have assumed the care of a child you intend to adopt

How much will I get paid from the Paid Maternity Leave Scheme?

If you are eligible under the Paid Maternity Leave Scheme, you can currently receive Maternity Leave payments of up to a maximum level of $429.74 per week before tax. You are entitled to either your gross weekly rate of pay (your pay before tax) or $429.74, whichever is lower.

Will I be able to get both parental leave and employer-provided maternity leave?

Yes, you will be able to get both employer-provided and Government Paid Parental Leave.

You can take Paid Maternity Leave before or after employer-provided paid leave or at the same time as employer-provided leave.

Can I still get the parental tax credit and claim the 14 week paid maternity leave?

If you are receiving payments under the Paid Maternity Leave Scheme, you will not receive a parental tax credit (except in the case of twins or multiple births).For more information on Paid Maternity Leave visit the Department of Labour website.

For more information see Maternity Leave.