Nats raise paid parental leave
National is promising to extend funding for IVF treatment, increase paid parental leave and make it more flexible to take, under a major new families package.
Leader Bill English unveiled the policy on Tuesday, alongside health spokesman Jonathan Coleman and deputy leader Paula Bennett.
It also includes free dental care for pregnant women, and the ability for more flexible student loan repayments.
National would progressively extend paid parental leave to 22 weeks as part of its ‘Parents and Newborns Package’ designed to support families to ‘‘grow and stay healthy, while also putting more money into their pockets’’.
‘‘National will share the dividends of a growing economy, with more support for families with newborns in a new package made possible only by the improving government finances,’’ women’s spokesperson Paula Bennett said.
Paid parental leave would extend over two years, with an initial step of two weeks on July 1, next year, followed by a further two weeks on July 1, 2019.
National also promised greater flexibility to paid parental leave, by allowing both parents to take some of the 22 weeks off at the same time so they could be at home with their baby together.
English said he was a stay-athome dad when his children were young.
‘‘I spent 15 weeks as a house husband myself, looking after our child while my wife was working, and I know it would mean a lot to couples if they could spend some of that time together, rather than having to take annual leave, which is taking away from the other time they could have together.’’
He confirmed it would likely be increased to 26 weeks over time.
Pregnant women and new mothers would be offered one free dental course, which could be taken either during pregnancy or right up to their baby’s first birthday.
And families struggling to have children would be given a third free IVF cycle, with faster access to fertility treatment for eligible couples.
‘‘All New Zealanders deserve the chance to have a family so we are also pleased to be able to stand behind people struggling to conceive, through funding for an extra IVF for those who need it,’’ said Coleman.
‘‘We also want to support pregnant women and new mothers take care of their health.
‘‘As pregnancy can lead to dental problems for some women, we will fund one dental course for all pregnant women and mothers up until their baby’s first birthday, including a check-up and any resulting x-rays, extractions and fillings.’’
Bennett said National’s proposed Parents and Newborns Package would ensure parents can spend more time at home ‘‘supporting each other and bonding with their babies in those important and stressful early months, and we will help them stay healthier’’.