Why we built the register

Why we created NZ’s first parental leave policy register

In conversations with employers across New Zealand, I’m often asked why we’re building this parental leave policy register. It’s a fair question. If your organisation is going to trust Crayon to showcase the details of your parental leave benefits, you deserve to know why this transparency matters.

The answer begins with my own experience as a working parent, but it's really about creating value for both New Zealand employers and the talented people who work for them.

How parental leave policies impact workplace success

As a business owner and now a mother of two, I’ve experienced both sides of the parental leave equation. When expecting my first child in 2019, I was surprised by how difficult it was to understand the full picture of New Zealand's parental leave entitlements—despite my background in finance.

I discovered a significant gap: more employers were offering valuable parental support benefits, but this information wasn't easily accessible when employees needed it most. The fine print of parental leave policies matters, yet it is often buried in lengthy policy documents or requires uncomfortable conversations.

For employers: Showcase your parental leave benefits

For New Zealand employers, our parental leave register offers a powerful opportunity to:

• Highlight your commitment to supporting employees through major life transitions

• Demonstrate your workplace values in a tangible way that attracts and retains talent

• Benchmark your parental leave approach against the broader market without judgment

• Signal to job candidates what kind of family-friendly workplace you've built

We don’t rank or rate parental leave policies. An employer offering statutory entitlements is welcomed just as warmly as one with additional benefits. What matters is transparency and clarity about what parental support you provide.

For employees: Make informed parental leave decisions

For the nearly 100,000 working Kiwis who welcome a child each year, the parental leave register offers:

• Early awareness of parental leave options before they're needed

• Better financial preparation for one of life's most expensive transitions

• Understanding of parental leave eligibility requirements (like the 12-month employment period)

• Confidence to have informed conversations with current or potential employers about parental benefits

With 60% of job candidates hesitating to ask about parental leave policies during interviews, this transparency removes barriers and awkward conversations about family planning.

The evolving landscape of New Zealand parental leave

In just five years, I’ve watched New Zealand’s parental leave landscape transform dramatically. Forward-thinking employers now recognise that supporting working parents is essential for:

• Attracting top talent in a competitive job market

• Retaining valuable team members through family changes

• Building inclusive workplaces that work for parents and caregivers

• Demonstrating genuine commitment to employee wellbeing

Our parental leave register captures not just additional paid leave but the full spectrum of family support, including:

• Assistance with family formation or when fertility challenges arise

• Support for smoother workplace transitions before and after parental leave

• Inclusion in remuneration reviews and promotion considerations while on parental leave

• Return-to-work programs and flexibility options for working parents

Improving parental leave transparency in New Zealand

At Crayon, we see ourselves as partners in workplace progress. Employers are working to find meaningful ways to support their teams through parenthood. Working parents are balancing multiple responsibilities at work and home. Our role is to create clarity and connection between these groups.

Together, we can make it easier for New Zealand organisations to showcase their commitment to working parents and for expecting Kiwis to plan for one of life's biggest transitions through better parental leave transparency.

— Stephanie Pow, Founder and CEO of Crayon