Having a baby in New Zealand
Having a baby anywhere in the world is an exciting experience, and you want to know that you have the best care and advice available in the months surrounding the birth. The health system in New Zealand is of a good standard, especially its care and support for expectant mothers.
If you are pregnant at the time of applying for your visas to New Zealand, be sure you understand the restrictions placed upon expectant mothers, especially if you are not in New Zealand at the time of application.
Unless you have elected to have a home birth, you are likely to be giving birth in one of the larger city or town hospitals. Christchurch Women’s Hospital, for example, is a recently-built addition to the main Christchurch Hospital and has excellent facilities for delivery and recovery.
Once discharged from one of New Zealand’s main hospitals you will likely be transferred to a community-run hospital for a period of time to recover and rest. Nursing staff and midwives at these facilities are there to assist you. Unless there have been complications with your delivery, you do have the option to be discharged straight home should you so wish.
Midwives play a pivotal role in New Zealand, looking after many mothers throughout pregnancy, birth and the first few months after a child is born. Most New Zealand women have free access to personal practical and professional care from midwives from early pregnancy to up to six weeks after a baby’s birth.
There are organisations set up to help with recovery and early parenting, such as Plunket and The Midwives Association, both of which will provide valuable ongoing support and advice.
Maternity leave/paternity leave
Statutory maternity leave of 14 continuous weeks may start up to six weeks before your expected due date. If you are planning to take maternity leave, you must notify your employer in writing at least three months before your expected due date. As an expectant mother you may also take special leave of up to 10 days before maternity leave for reasons connected with pregnancy (i.e. antenatal checks).
Paternity leave of either one week (for a spouse/partner with six months eligible service), or two weeks (for a spouse/partner with 12 months eligible service) may be taken. Paternity leave can be extended in certain circumstances.
Additionally, for employees with 12 months eligible service, 52 weeks of extended leave can be taken, as long as the leave period is begun before the child turns one-year old.
Will I be paid while on maternity leave?
If you meet the six or 12 month eligibility criteria, you will be entitled to paid parental leave for 14 weeks. This leave is paid by Inland Revenue, not your employer, so to receive it you must apply first to your employer and then to Inland Revenue for parental leave. Paid parental leave payments equal your normal pay (before tax) if you’re an employee, or your average weekly earnings if you’re self-employed, up to a current maximum of $407.36 a week (before tax).
For full details about maternity and paternity leave visit the parental leave section on the Department of Labour website.
