Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987

1A: Purpose

You could also call this:

“This law explains how parental leave works and helps you when you're having or adopting a baby”

This law is about parental leave. Its purpose is to help you if you are an employee and you are having a baby or adopting a child.

The law does three main things for you:

First, it sets the smallest amount of parental leave that your job must give you, whether you are a man or a woman.

Second, it makes sure your rights at work are protected when you are pregnant or on parental leave.

Third, it allows some people to get money for up to 26 weeks while they are on parental leave.

This law is there to support you and make sure you are treated fairly at work when you become a parent.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM120113.

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1: Short Title and commencement, or

“This law's name and when it started working”

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1B: Outline, or

“This Act explains when you can take time off work and get money to look after a new baby or young child”

1APurpose

  1. The purpose of this Act is to—

  2. set minimum entitlements with respect to parental leave for male and female employees; and
    1. protect the rights of employees during pregnancy and parental leave; and
      1. entitle certain persons to up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments.

        Notes
        • Section 1A: inserted, on , by section 7 of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave for Self-Employed Persons) Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 20).
        • Section 1A(c): amended, on , by section 16 of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 45).
        • Section 1A(c): amended, on , by section 4(1) of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 8).
        • Section 1A(c): amended, on , by section 4(2) of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 8).