Paid parental leave is available to female employees who give birth to a child, or to either parent where a couple has assumed the care of a child under six they intend to jointly adopt. You may transfer all or part of your paid parental leave to your spouse/partner as long as they are also eligible.
If you meet either the six or 12 month eligibility criteria, you are entitled to paid parental leave for 14 weeks. To receive it, you must apply to your employer for parental leave, then apply to
Inland Revenue for parental leave payments. This paid leave must be taken at the same time as any unpaid leave you take.
The maximum level of payment is currently $488.17 per week before tax. You are entitled to either your gross weekly rate of pay (your pay before tax) or $488.17, whichever is lower.
The payment period begins when your parental leave begins - that is, when you start your maternity, partner’s/paternity, or extended leave.