Parental leave payments increased by 6% from Monday 1 July 2024. The maximum parental leave payment rate for eligible employees and self-employed parents increased from $712.17 to $754.87 gross per week.
Under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987, eligible parents are entitled to payments equal to their normal pay up to the current maximum rate. The maximum rate is adjusted annually to account for any increase in average weekly earnings.
The minimum parental leave payment rate for self-employed parents increased from $227.00 to $231.50 gross per week, to reflect the minimum wage increase on 1 April 2024.
The minimum rate for self-employed parents is equivalent to 10 hours worked at the adult minimum wage, which is now $23.15 per hour.
Source Human Resources Institute of New Zealand HRNZ.
For HR advice on parental leave, get in touch.