National is promising to extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected.

The party says the entitlement would increase to 27 weeks in its first Budget, with further increases introduced over the following two Budgets.

Parents would also be allowed to divide the leave between them and take some or all of it at the same time.

National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis said the changes would give families more choice and financial breathing room after the birth of a child.

“The birth of a child is an expensive time, as families juggle the costs that come with a new baby while their household income is less than when both parents are in paid work,” Willis said.

“Extending paid parental leave to 30 weeks will ease that pressure and give more parents the option to stay home with their baby for longer.”

National has a longer-term goal of extending the entitlement to 40 weeks, or about nine months.

Willis said gradually introducing the initial four-week extension would allow it to be funded responsibly while the party worked to return the Government’s books to surplus and reduce debt.

Under the proposed changes, parents could share the entitlement in any order or combination.

For example, both parents could take 15 weeks together, or spend four weeks at home together before dividing the remaining leave between them.

Current rules prevent parents from taking paid parental leave simultaneously or in overlapping periods.

“These outdated restrictions are getting in the way of families doing what they think is best for their babies,” Willis said.

“The choice should sit with families and not be restricted by outdated government rules.”

National’s spokesperson for women, Nicola Grigg, said the changes would also provide greater support during the postpartum period.

“Some mums might need extra help from their partner after a difficult birth, and allowing parents to take paid parental leave together means their partner can be home while they recover,” Grigg said.

National is also promising to protect proposed changes to holiday-pay rules so parents are not financially disadvantaged when taking annual leave after returning to work.

Annual leave payments are currently calculated using a worker’s average weekly earnings over the previous 12 months, which can result in reduced holiday pay following a period of parental leave.

National has also proposed making KiwiSaver contributions on behalf of parents receiving paid parental leave, even when they are not contributing themselves.

The payments would be made at the default contribution rate from July 1, 2027.