1. PARENTAL LEAVE

2. Todays key points Government Paid Parental Leave Extended Leave
Partners Leave
University Paid Parental Leave
Keeping in Touch Days (KIT)
How to apply
Annual Leave

3. Do your homework Parental Leave information
Government Parental Leave information

4. Government Paid Parental Leave
This is a statutory payment paid by the government for a period up to 18 weeks duration, for eligible employees or self-employed persons taking parental leave. Paid parental leave (PPL) is a government-funded entitlement paid to eligible mothers and other primary carers, such as adoptive parents, Home for Life parents, whāngai, grandparents with full-time care, and other permanent guardians.
The current max paid parental leave is 18 weeks.
Effective 1/7/2018 will increase to 22 weeks.
Effective 1/7/2020 will increase to 26 weeks.
The amount available to eligible employees is either your gross weekly rate or the current legal maximum, whichever is lower.
If you return to work while receiving a parental leave payment, the payment stops and it is your responsibility to advise Inland Revenue. 
This applies even if you are returning to work for a short period in the middle of your leave period.

6. Extended Leave 6 months service at EDD 12 months service at EDD
The amount of extended leave that an employee may take depends on whether each parent meets either the six month or 12 month time criteria. Extended leave may be shared by two parents who both meet the criteria, and they can take it at the same time or one after the other:
6 months service at EDD
Employees who meet the six month criteria may take up to 26 weeks in total. If two parents are sharing the leave and they both meet the six month criteria then they share this amount.
If one parent meets the 12 months criteria and the other parent the six months criteria then the person who has only worked for six months cannot take more than 26 weeks of the total 52 weeks.
12 months service at EDD
Employees who meet the 12 month criteria may take up to 52 weeks extended leave.
If two parents are sharing the leave and they both meet the 12 month criteria then they share this amount.

7. Partners Leave (government)
Partner’s leave is up to two week’s duration taken around the time of the birth or adoption of a child if that partner meets the hours test for the previous 12 months of service, and up to one week for the mother’s partner on the birth or adoption of a child if that partner meets the hours test for the previous six months of service. In some cases this may be extended.
6 months service at EDD
1 weeks unpaid leave
12 months service at EDD
2 weeks unpaid leave

8. University Paid Parental
In additional to the Government Paid Parental Leave, the University offers eligible staff up to 9 weeks (or 45 days) University Paid Parental Leave.
Eligibility Criteria
Employees who have completed one year’s continuous service are entitled to 9 weeks’ salary at the rate of pay the staff member received prior to taking parental leave
Part time employees would receive 9 weeks paid of their “normal working weeks” not the 45 days
UoA Paid Parental Leave may be taken in blocks of one or more weeks within 52 weeks following the birth or adoption with the approval of their Dean/Director/HoD/Manager
Either parent is eligible but only one parent can receive paid leave if both are employed at The University of Auckland
*Note: If an employee does not return to work she/he will be expected to refund the total payment of UoA Paid Parental Leave made under this provision.
UoA Paid Parental Leave cannot be accrued and any remaining UoA Paid Parental Leave at the end of the 52 weeks will be forfeited.

9. Keeping In Touch Days (KIT)
While on parental leave you can choose (if your employer agrees) to perform work from time to time. For example, to attend a team day or change announcement as long as:
You only do a total of 40 hours or less of paid work for your employer during your Primary Carer Leave of 18 weeks, and
This work is not within the 28 days after your child was born
These hours need to be recorded by your Manager and after your return to work advised to Payroll so you can be paid

10. How to apply for Parental Leave from the University
Have an initial conversation with your Manager, HR Advisor or HR Services Consultant
Complete the University of Auckland application form (HR-25)
Complete the IR880 application form (if you intended to apply for any leave offered by the Government)
Append the certificate signed by a medical practitioner or midwife certifying the expected date of delivery to your application
Submit the form to the Staff Service Centre at least three months before your EDD date
Read online information at:

11. Annual Leave
Prior to commencing maternity leave, it is recommended that any due or excess leave be taken. Any currently accruing leave is held in your leave account until you either: 
Return to work when your parental leave ends (in which case any accrued days will be available for you to take as leave). or
Resign before your parental leave ends, and you don’t return to work (in which case your resignation date will be adjusted back to your last day, and those accrued days will be paid to you under provisions in the Holidays Act).