Can I get Best Start while I'm on paid parental leave?
No, you cannot get Best Start and paid parental leave at the same time. You can register for both. Best Start starts only after your paid parental leave ends. First-year payments then continue until your child's 1st birthday.
Official figures
- Weekly amount
- Up to NZ$771
- Maximum per year
- NZ$4,0411
- How long you can get it
- The first 3 years after your child is born, until your child's 3rd birthday1
- Income threshold
- If your family income is over NZ$79,000 a year, the NZ$77 a week starts to reduce1
- How much it reduces
- 21% of your family income above NZ$79,000 (the abatement rate)1
Official sources
- Best StartInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
- Child IRD numbersInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
- Registering a new baby and getting a birth certificateGovt.nz · govt.nz
- Residency requirementsInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
Read the full guide: Best Start payment for new babies →
People also ask
- What payments can I get from the government when my baby is born?
- How much is Best Start per week and how long can I get it?
- At what family income does Best Start start to reduce?
- My baby is born in 2026. Can I still get the full Best Start amount?
- Can I apply for Best Start when I register my baby's birth?
- We are on work visas. Can we get Best Start for our new baby?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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