Vacation Leave

Employees are entitled to a minimum of four weeks of paid annual leave after 12 months of continuous employment. This leave accrues annually and remains available until used. Employers can require employees to take leave at a certain time with at least 14 days’ notice.

Sick Leave  

After six months of continuous employment, employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Sick leave can be used for the employee’s own illness or to care for a dependent. Employees can accrue up to 20 days of sick leave.

Parental Leave

There are four different types of parental leave, including primary carer’s leave, partner’s leave, extended leave, and negotiated leave. Parents who meet work eligibility requirements can take up to 52 weeks of parental leave in total, 26 of which are paid. Leave can be shared between parents and used during pregnancy or when becoming the primary caregiver of a child younger than six. Parental leave is funded by the government and paid by Inland Revenue, not employers.

Primary Carer’s Leave 

Employees who have worked at least 10 hours a week for the same employer for six months before their due date are eligible for primary carer’s leave. Leave can start any time before the expected due date and last up to 26 weeks. 

Partner’s Leave

Partner’s leave can be used to support a partner or spouse who is pregnant or becoming the primary caregiver to a child under the age of six. Employees are eligible if they’ve worked at the same employer for at least 12 months. This leave is unpaid and can be taken for up to two weeks.

Extended Leave

Extended leave is extra unpaid time off, which can be taken after primary carer’s leave. Employees are eligible if they've worked for the same employer for at least an average of 10 hours a week across 12 or more months. This additional leave can be taken for up to 52 weeks, minus the number of weeks of primary carer leave already taken.

Negotiated Carer Leave

Employees who aren’t eligible for primary carer’s leave can request negotiated carer leave if they qualify for parental leave payments. Employees must submit a written request to their employer at least three months before their due date or 14 days before they’ll become the primary carer of a child under six.

Written requests must include:

• Employee’s full name

• Date request is being submitted 

• The start date and duration of leave

• Eligibility for parental leave payments

• Arrangements the employer would need to make to facilitate a smooth transition  

An employer can deny an employee’s request for leave if:

• The work can’t be covered by reorganizing duties or hiring others

• Their absence would negatively affect quality, performance, or customer demand

• The business is undergoing structural changes

Other Types of Leave

Here are some other types of leave that are allowed in New Zealand: 

• Bereavement Leave: Up to three days for the death of a close family member, and one day for others

• Family Violence Leave: Up to 10 days of paid leave for those affected by domestic violence

• Jury Duty: Unpaid, though employers may top up the employee’s pay at their discretion

• Union Meetings & Representation: Paid time off for eligible activities

• Leave Without Pay: Discretionary, based on employer policies and agreements