Dear Editor, I am writing to congratulate government on its commitments to social welfare in the 2025/2026 national budget. Expansion of social welfare benefits including the Destitute Benefit, Newborn Allowance, Child Benefit and especially the extension of paid Maternity Leave and new paid Paternity Leave.

Increasing the Destitute Benefit, Newborn Allowance and Child Benefit show support for wellbeing of those in need. The Child Benefit has been shown to contribute to reducing poverty nationally and the Destitute Benefit provides for those who face significant hardship.

Expanded paid Maternity Leave from six to fourteen weeks and creation of two weeks paid paternity leave brings many benefits to children, parents, families and society as a whole. Expanded maternity leave brings health and social benefits, it allows mothers time to recover, establish breastfeeding, bond and care for their babies and ensure that children receive their health checks and vaccinations.  Introducing paid paternity leave also brings health and social benefits, it provides fathers with more time to bond and care for their new-born, ensure that children receive their health checks and vaccinations, share caregiving and support their partner. As well as other social and economic benefits. These policy changes demonstrate support for wellbeing, gender equality and early childhood development.

The extension of maternity and paternity leave has been under discussion for several years; many people and families will be happy to see it come to fruition.

Kia manuia,

Hilary Gorman,

Social policy researcher and mother of three