NZ Paid Parental Leave Calculator

How it works

Weekly payment = min(average weekly earnings, $788.66); self-employed floor $231.50; 26 weeks maximum, taxed as income

New Zealand provides up to 26 weeks of government-paid parental leave to the primary carer (which can be transferred in part to a partner). The payment matches your usual gross weekly earnings up to a cap that is reset every 1 July — $788.66 for the year from July 2025. Employees average their earnings over the higher of the last 26 or 52 weeks; self-employed parents use their net income and get a floor equal to ten hours at the adult minimum wage. Payments are taxed like normal wages (tax code from your IR330), but KiwiSaver contributions stop unless you arrange them yourself. Partners also get up to two weeks of unpaid partner’s leave, and the primary carer can take up to 52 weeks of job-protected leave in total.

Worked example

Usual earnings of $1,300 a week: payment is capped at $788.66 gross, roughly $658 after tax and ACC — $20,505 gross over 26 weeks, $13,295 less than normal pay.

Frequently asked questions