National promises to extend paid parental leave from 26 weeks to 30, if re-elected
New Zealand's National Party has pledged to increase paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected. The proposal also includes a policy allowing parents to split or overlap their leave entitlements.
Why it matters
This policy shift reflects a broader political debate on family support, economic productivity, and the flexibility of labor laws for working parents.
National has pledged to extend paid parental leave from 26 weeks to 30, if re-elected.
The party is also proposing to revive a policy that allows parents to take some or all of their leave at the same time.
Since 2020, primary carers have been eligible for 26 weeks of paid leave and an additional 26 weeks of unpaid leave.
National has proposed changing the entitlement incrementally, increasing it to 27 weeks in 2027, 28 weeks in 2028, and then 30 weeks in 2029.
Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis said the policy modernised paid parental leave, supporting families to give them more financial breathing space while they took on caregiving responsibilities.
"The birth of a child is an expensive time, as families juggle the costs that come with a new baby while their household income is less than when both parents are in paid work," she said.
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