Parental leave payments increase from 1 July 2015.
The maximum weekly rate for eligible employees and self-employed parents will increase from $504.10 to $516.85 gross per week.
"The Government is committed to helping children get a good start in life and ensure that New Zealand's parental leave framework better supports Kiwi families," says Mr Michael Woodhouse from the Government's Workplace Relations and Safety.
"The increase in paid parental leave payments reflects the 2.5 per cent rise in the average weekly wage over the past year, as reported by Statistics New Zealand."
Under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987, eligible parents are entitled to paid parental leave through the Inland Revenue Department at a rate calculated on the basis of their average weekly earnings. The maximum rate is adjusted every year to account for any increase in average weekly earnings.
The Government have also previously extended paid parental leave from 14 to 16 weeks from April 1 2015, and will increase it again by another two weeks from April 1 2016.
From detailed information on parental leave please see our eBook; Parental Leave Guide 2015
Members can download from the Library section of the Employers Toolbox, non members may purchase online.