New Zealand Parental Leave Entitlements

1
What are you planning for?* This field is required.
Giving birth to a child
Taking permanent responsibility for a child under the age of six years (e.g., adoption)
None of the above
2
Have you received any paid parental leave payments in the last 6 months for a different child?* This field is required.
YESNO
3
By default, the person who is pregnant is considered the Primary Carer.

The Primary Carer can transfer some or all of their parental leave entitlements if the Partner meets the eligibility requirements. Don't worry, we'll work through this with you
4
You will need to nominate one person to be the Primary Carer.

The Primary Carer can transfer some or all of their parental leave entitlements if the Partner meets the eligibility requirements. Don't worry, we'll work through this with you
5
Primary Carer: What is your employment type?* This field is required.To be eligible for paid parental leave, you need to be eligible either as an employee or as a self-employed person
Employee
Self-employed
Neither
6
Primary Carer: you need to meet all three criteria to be eligible for parental leave entitlements
I work for a New Zealand employer
I pay tax in New Zealand
My employment is subject to New Zealand law
7
Primary Carer: you need to meet both criteria to be eligible for parental leave entitlements
I pay tax in New Zealand
I am based in New Zealand
8
Primary Carer: how long will you have worked for the same employer by the time your child arrives?* This field is required.
Less than six months
At least 6 months but less than 12 months
12 months or more
9
We just want to check if any special circumstances apply that might change your answer to the previous question:

You would normally have been at work but were absent for an extended period (e.g., you were injured or volunteering)

Your employer changed because the business was sold

You’re a junior doctor working for a district health board

You're a junior teacher

Click here to learn more

If you need to change your answer to the previous question, please hit "Previous"
10
Primary Carer: during this time will you have worked for this same employer at least an average of 10 hours a week?* This field is required.
YESNO
11
Primary Carer: will you have worked as an employee for an average of at least 10 hours a week for any 26 of the 52 weeks before your child arrives?* This field is required. You can combine hours worked for more than one employer, even if there were periods when you did not work
YESNO
12
Primary Carer: will you have worked as a self-employed person for an average of at least 10 hours a week for any 26 of the 52 weeks before your child arrives?* This field is required.
YESNO
13
Unfortunately, based on the information you provided, it looks like you are not eligible for paid parental leave because:

You are not pregnant; or

You are not planning to take permanent responsibility for a child under age six.

To confirm your eligibility and check for other support, contact the IRD and speak with your employer about available options.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
14
Unfortunately, based on the information you provided, it looks like you are not eligible for paid parental leave because you received paid parental leave within the last 6 months.

Just to be sure and to check if you are eligible for other support, we recommend you contact the IRD and approach your employer to discuss options that may be available to you.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
15
Unfortunately, based on the information you provided, it looks like you are not eligible for paid parental leave because you have not established a sufficient connection between New Zealand and the employment you are relying on to qualify for payments.

You must qualify as an employee or self-employed person.

As an employee, you need evidence that you:

You work for a New Zealand employer

You pay income tax to New Zealand

Your employment relationship is subject to New Zealand employment law

As a self-employed person, you need evidence that you:

You pay income tax to New Zealand

You are based in New Zealand

To be sure and to check whether you are eligible for other support, we recommend contacting the IRD and speaking with your employer about options that may be available to you.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
16
Unfortunately, based on the information you provided, it looks like you are not eligible for paid parental leave because you will not have worked at least 10 hours a week for any 26 out of the 52 weeks immediately before your child arrives.

To be sure and to check whether you are eligible for other support, we recommend contacting the IRD and speaking with your employer about options that may be available to you.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
17
Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like you're entitled to:

52 weeks of parental leave (26 of weeks Primary Carer Leave plus an additional 26 weeks of Extended Leave)

26 weeks of parental leave payments while you're not in paid work so you can care for your child

Note: Primary Carer leave is specifically ring-fenced for the Primary Carer, whereas Extended Leave can be shared between both parents

You can also apply to transfer all or some of your paid parental leave payments to your partner if they are eligible - we'll work through that in the next section

To be sure, we recommend verifying this information with the IRD, Employment NZ, and/or your employer.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
18
Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like you're entitled to:

26 weeks of parental leave

26 weeks of parental leave payments while you're not in paid work so you can care for your child

You can also apply to transfer all or some of your paid parental leave payments to your partner if they are eligible - we'll work through that in the next section.

To be sure, we recommend verifying this information with the IRD, Employment NZ, and/or your employer.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
19
Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like you're entitled to 26 weeks of parental leave payments.

You will need to take time off from self-employment to receive these payments.

You can also apply to transfer all or some of your paid parental leave payments to your partner if they are eligible - we'll work through that in the next section.

To be sure, we recommend verifying this information with the IRD, Employment NZ, and/or your employer.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
20
Based on the information you provided, it looks like you're eligible for 26 weeks of parental leave payments.

You are not entitled to take primary carer or extended leave because either:

You will have been at the same employer for less than six months before your child arrives

You're working less than 10 hours a week on average for the same employer

Therefore to receive these payments, you must either:

Apply for Negotiated Carer Leave from your employer

Transfer your entitlement to your partner if they are eligible - we'll work through that in the next section

We know this can get confusing:

Whether you are entitled to time off from your current job depends on how long you’ve been at the same employer.

Whether you are eligible for parental leave payments from the NZ Government depends on your employment history over the last 12 months, which can include more than one employer.

To be sure, we recommend verifying this information with the IRD, Employment NZ, and/or your employer.

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to enter this next phase of your life with financial confidence, check out the Crayon Baby Prep Program. Think of it as an antenatal class for your money!
21
Did you know...

You're also legally entitled to 10 days of special leave during your pregnancy.

Special leave is unpaid leave you can take for pregnancy-related reasons such as morning sickness, antenatal classes, scans or midwife appointments.

In practice, many salaried employees duck out for pregnancy-related reasons without lodging special leave so long as the work still gets done. If you're not sure, have a chat with your manager about it.
22
Would you like to skip this step?* This field is required.
Yes
No, I'm planning this with my partner
23
Partner: What is your employment type?* This field is required.To be eligible for paid parental leave, you need to be eligible either as an employee or as a self-employed person
Employee
Self-employed
Neither
24
Partner: you need to meet all three criteria to be eligible for parental leave entitlements
I work for a New Zealand employer
I pay tax in New Zealand
My employment is subject to New Zealand law
25
Partner: you need to meet both criteria to be eligible for parental leave entitlements
I pay tax in New Zealand
I am based in New Zealand
26
Partner: how long will you have worked for the same employer by the time your child arrives?* This field is required.
Less than six months
At least 6 months but less than 12 months
12 months or more
27
We just want to check if any special circumstances apply that might change your answer to the previous question:

Your employer changed because the business was sold

You would normally have been at work but were absent for an extended period

You’re a junior doctor working for a district health board

You're a junior teacher

Click here to learn more

If you need to change your answer to the previous question, please hit "Previous"
28
Partner: during this time will you have worked for the same employer at least an average of 10 hours a week?* This field is required.
YESNO
29
Partner: will you have worked as an employee for an average of at least 10 hours a week for any 26 of the 52 weeks before your child arrives?* This field is required. You can combine hours worked for more than one employer, even if there were periods when you did not work
YESNO
30
Partner: will you have worked as a self-employed person for an average of at least 10 hours a week for any 26 of the 52 weeks before your child arrives?* This field is required.
YESNO
31
Partner: Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like :

You are entitled to 2 weeks of unpaid partner’s leave

You can share the Extended Leave with the Primary Carer for up to a total of 52 weeks (including 26 weeks of Primary Carer Leave)

The Primary Carer can transfer up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments to you if you become the Primary Carer for this time.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
32
Partner: Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like you are entitled to:

2 weeks of unpaid partner’s leave

52 weeks of Extended Leave

In addition, the Primary Carer can transfer up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments to you if you become the Primary Carer for this time.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
33
Partner: Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like you are entitled to:

2 weeks of unpaid partner’s leave

52 weeks of Extended Leave

Unfortunately, since the Primary Carer is not eligible to receive parental leave payments, they cannot transfer any parental leave payments to you.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
34
Partner: Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like:

You are entitled to 1 week of unpaid partner’s leave

You can share the Extended Leave with the Primary Carer for up to a total of 26 weeks (including 26 weeks of Primary Carer Leave)

The Primary Carer can transfer up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments to you if you become the Primary Carer for this time

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
35
Partner: Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like you are entitled to:

1 week of unpaid partner’s leave

26 weeks of Extended Leave

In addition, the Primary Carer can transfer up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments to you if you become the Primary Carer for this time.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
36
Partner: Good news! Based on the information you provided, it looks like you are entitled to:

1 week of unpaid partner’s leave

26 weeks of Extended Leave

Unfortunately, since the Primary Carer is not eligible to receive parental leave payments, they cannot transfer any parental leave payments to you.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
37
Partner: Good news! Based on the information that has been provided, it looks like the Primary Carer can transfer up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments to you if you become the Primary Carer for this time.

You will need to take time off from self-employment to receive these payments.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
38
Partner: based on the information that has been provided, the Primary Carer is not eligible to receive parental leave payments, and therefore they cannot transfer any parental leave payments to you.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
39
Partner: based on the information that has been provided, it looks like the Primary Carer can transfer up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments to you if you become the Primary Carer for this time.

You are not entitled to any unpaid Partner's leave or to share any Extended Leave because either:

You will have been at the same employer for less than six months before your child arrives

You're working less than 10 hours a week on average for the same employer

To receive these payments, you will need to apply for Negotiated Carer Leave from your employer - click here to learn more.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
40
Partner: based on the information that has been provided, your only option is to apply for unpaid Negotiated Carer Leave from your employer - click here to learn more.

It appears that you are not entitled to any unpaid Partner's leave or to share any Extended Leave because either:

You will have been at the same employer for less than six months before your child arrives

You're working less than 10 hours a week on average for the same employer

Furthermore, the Primary Carer is not eligible to receive parental leave payments, and therefore they cannot transfer any parental leave payments to you.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
41
Partner: based on the information that has been provided, the Primary Carer is not able to transfer any parental leave payments to you because you will not have worked at least 10 hours a week for any 26 out of the 52 weeks immediately before your child arrives.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
42
Partner: based on the information that has been provided, your only option is to apply for unpaid Negotiated Carer Leave from your employer - click here to learn more.

It appears you are not entitled to any unpaid Partner's leave or to share any Extended Leave because either:

You will have been at the same employer for less than six months before your child arrives

You're working less than 10 hours a week on average for the same employer

Furthermore, the Primary Carer is not able to transfer any parental leave payments to you because you will not have worked at least 10 hours a week for any 26 out of the 52 weeks immediately before your child arrives.

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD, Employment NZ and/or your employer.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
43
Partner: unfortunately, based on the information you provided, it looks like you are not eligible for any parental leave and your partner cannot transfer their parental leave entitlements to you because you have not established a sufficient connection between New Zealand and the employment you are relying on to qualify.

You must qualify as an employee or self-employed person.

As an employee, you need evidence that you:

You work for a New Zealand employer

You pay income tax to New Zealand

Your employment relationship is subject to New Zealand employment law

As a self-employed person, you need evidence that you:

You pay income tax to New Zealand

You are based in New Zealand

Just to be sure, we recommend you verify this information with the IRD.

Wondering how having a kid impacts your family’s finances?

Our Crayon Baby Prep Program estimates how your family's income and expenses will change before, during and after parental leave so you can plan with confidence.
44
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