What parental leave payments are
Parental leave payments are paid to support people who are taking time off work to care for a new child. They are weekly payments that are paid for a continuous period of up to 26 weeks.
These payments are government-funded and paid by Inland Revenue (IR).
What the new rates will be
- The maximum payment rate will increase from $788.66 to $811.05 (before tax) a week.
- The minimum payment rate for self-employed parents will increase from $235 to $239.50 (before tax) a week.
The minimum amount will increase in line with the minimum wage increase on 1 April. It's based on 10 hours at the adult minimum wage of $23.95 per hour.
What you are paid
If you can get parental leave payments, you'll be paid the lower of either:
- your usual weekly earnings, or
- the maximum payment rate.
If you have applied for, or are receiving payments, Inland Revenue will adjust the amount automatically.