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

2025 Hiring Playbook for growing businesses

Use our 2025 Hiring Playbook for recruitment decisions, avoid costly hiring mistakes, and apply proven strategies tailored to NZ businesses and market trends.

How to set up new leaders for success

Support your leadership team after recruitment. Onboard new hire GMs and CEOs to your NZ business with a strong first 100 days and long-term development.

How to prepare as remuneration disclosure bill nears final stage

What every NZ employer should know about the bill moving to end pay secrecy - the legislation affects how remuneration and salaries are discussed.

Beyond the CEO: Building a future-ready leadership bench

NZ boards must plan beyond the CEO - how to build leadership for the future with succession strategy, organisational change, and crisis-proof development.

When can an employer say no to full-time remote work?

A recent NZ case highlights how unclear remote work policies can lead to dismissal claims. Here's what every employer needs to know to stay protected.