Parental Leave: A Kiwi Perspective Report
Together with Rebekah Fraser from The Back To Work Coach, we gathered insights from 350+ Kiwi parents on their experiences.
What they found most challenging before, during and after parental leave
Top tips for parents and employers
Templates and guides to improve the experience
Key findings
How parents are experiencing parental leave in New Zealand
Financial challenges are the most significant.
Over two-thirds of parents going on or currently on parental leave cited finances as their top challenge, with this pressure only slightly decreasing after returning to work.
Process matters as much as policy.
Many parents said that how their leave was handled had just as much impact as the policy itself. Pain points include unclear communication, confusion around entitlements, and a lack of transition planning.
Flexibility and manager support shape the return to work.
The biggest factor in a smooth return? Early conversations with managers, flexible hours, and clear expectations.
Are you (or someone you manage) expecting?
Join the waitlist for our newest product Compass, a guided journey for expecting employees and their managers who want to do parental leave better.
