Twins and multiples: A guide for NZ employers
Expecting multiple babies brings unique physical demands during pregnancy and significant logistical and financial challenges after birth. Your understanding of these realities can make a world of difference to your employees.
Multiple births have been steadily increasing in New Zealand, with twins now accounting for about 1 in every 60 births (approximately 1.7% of all births). Triplets and higher-order multiples are much rarer, occurring in about 1 in 4,400 births. Studies show that parents of multiples experience significantly higher rates of parental stress and fatigue, with 43% of mothers of twins reporting symptoms of depression in the first year compared to 25% of mothers of singletons.
Statutory entitlements
When an employee is expecting twins, triplets, or other multiples, it's important to understand that under New Zealand law, only one entitlement is available per pregnancy, not per child.
This means that regardless of how many babies are born, the employee receives the same statutory parental leave entitlements as they would for a single birth:
The same duration of primary carer leave
The same amount of paid parental leave
The same partner's leave entitlements
The same extended leave options
Best practices for supporting employees with multiples
While statutory entitlements remain the same, employers can acknowledge the additional challenges of multiple births through supportive policies.
Before leave begins
Workplace accommodations: Employees carrying multiples often experience more physical discomfort and may benefit from additional accommodations before beginning leave.
Earlier start to leave: Consider allowing leave to begin earlier, as multiple pregnancies often deliver before the due date.
Leave period
Extended leave options: Consider offering additional paid or unpaid leave beyond statutory requirements.
Increased flexibility: Allow for greater flexibility in how leave is structured.
Financial support: Some employers on the New Zealand Parental Leave Register provide additional financial support or benefits for multiple births.
Return to work
Phased return: A gradual return to work is particularly beneficial for parents of multiples.
Flexible scheduling: Consider options like job sharing, compressed work weeks, or adjusted hours.
Remote work options: Working from home can significantly reduce logistical challenges for parents of multiples.
Childcare assistance: Information about or subsidies for multiple-child daycare options can be valuable.
Creating a supportive policy
While the law doesn't differentiate between single and multiple births, your organisation can acknowledge the unique challenges in your parental leave policy by:
Explicitly addressing multiple births in your policy documentation.
Outlining any additional support your organisation offers.
Providing information about resources such as Multiples New Zealand.
Establishing clear procedures for requesting accommodations.
Need a hand improving your policy or modelling the cost?
Now for the important legal part: The information we provide is general and not regulated financial advice for the purposes of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. Please seek independent legal, financial, tax or other advice in considering whether the content in this article is appropriate for your goals, situation or needs. The information in this article is current as at 7 April 2025.
Stephanie Pow
Founder & CEO of Crayon
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