Full Breakdown
Call to Extend New Zealand's Bereavement Leave to Ten Days
6/3/2026, 8:27:31 PM
Core Event: Petition to Extend Bereavement Leave
A petition titled “Increase the minimum bereavement leave entitlement to ten days” seeks to raise the statutory leave from three to ten days. It is led by the mother of Lauren Hemens, who died in a June 2023 accident, and will close for signatures on 10 August 2026. Proponents argue that a ten-day minimum would signal that grieving workers are valued and that their jobs will be secure upon return.
Background & Legislative Context
The Employment Leave Bill, introduced in March 2026, is intended to replace the Holidays Act 2003 and modernise how leave is earned, paid and taken across the workforce. While it overhauls most leave categories, the bereavement entitlement remains at three days, unchanged for more than four decades.
Data & International Comparison
The current statutory entitlement is three days. Comparative data show the United Kingdom provides ten days, Portugal twenty days, France fourteen days, and several other jurisdictions between seven and ten days. The petition cites these benchmarks to argue for a ten-day minimum aligned with the UK.
Impact on Families and Employers
Advocates contend that three days do not allow families to process shock, arrange funerals, or address the medical, financial and emotional costs of grief. They further warn that insufficient leave can impair staff morale, loyalty, retention, workplace safety and overall risk management.
Official Statements & Government Position
The Employment Leave Bill, presented in March 2026, retains the three-day bereavement entitlement while reforming other leave categories such as annual, sick and parental leave. The source records no explicit government comment on the petition.
Business Concerns
Mrs Hemens notes that some employers may resist longer leave due to operational costs and staffing challenges, yet many already exceed the statutory minimum, citing benefits to morale, retention and overall productivity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our family lost a child; our children lost a sibling,” — Mrs Hemens, mother of Lauren Hemens
- “Three days is nowhere near long enough to take into account what grief costs a person, medically, financially or emotionally, or how long it takes before they can function safely at work again.” — Mrs Hemens
- “I’m asking for a law that tells grieving New Zealanders that what happened to them matters, that they’re allowed to fall apart, and that their job will still be there when they can stand up again.” — Mrs Hemens
- “All New Zealanders deserve better. Ten days sends the message, ‘you matter’.” — Mrs Hemens
Next Steps
The petition remains open for signatures until 10 August 2026. Supporters aim to influence the parliamentary debate on the Employment Leave Bill, noting that any amendment to bereavement leave would require legislative approval.
