Templates

Parental leave
policy template
[Free download]

For Kiwi managers to support parents who are either expecting a baby or about to become the primary carer of a child under 6 years old.

For NZ businesses

HR Today's Parental Leave Policy for NZ businesses

What is a parental leave policy?

The Parental Leave Policy ensures requests for parental leave reflect the minimum requirements as contained within Part I to V of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 and aims to offer support for parents who are either expecting a baby or about to become the primary carer for the care, development, and upbringing of a child who is under the age of 6 years.

By offering clear guidelines and support aligned with parental leave legal requirements, you can enhance employee satisfaction, reduce stress levels, and support employees to show up as their best selves at work and home.

The policy covers the following areas:

Primary carer leave and surrogacy
Special leave
Partner's leave
Extended leave
Negotiated carer leave
Application for parental leave
Commencing parental leave
Returning to work

Download HR Today's Parental Leave Policy template to meet legal requirements and proactively support your parent workers.

Let’s get compliant

Are you ready for a complete peace of mind when managing compliance? Leave manual tasks to HR Today, while you focus on what really matters.

HR Today software - dashboard

Back to Articles

Share this Article

Other Recent Articles

New Minimum Wage Rates

Minimum wages rise from 1 April 2026. Find out the new rates, who they apply to, and the key steps employers must take now to...

The Independent Contractor Gateway test: when does it apply?

New 2026 law introduces a gateway test to classify independent contractors. From 21 Feb 2026 it applies to most arrangements, overriding start dates, with limited...

Hiring for Adaptability, Not Experience: Why the Best Hires Aren’t Always the Most Qualified

Experience shows the past; adaptability predicts success. As roles change fast, hires who learn, adjust and own problems outperform rigid, highly experienced candidates.

Unfair Dismissal: Couple Wins $100k Payout

A married chef couple were unfairly dismissed from an Auckland café, leading the ERA to order the employer to pay nearly $100k after finding the...

Stop Promoting the Wrong People into Manager Roles

Many high performers are promoted into manager roles they do not want, leading to low engagement and weak team performance. Choosing willing, prepared managers builds...