[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-280044-105":53,"doc-detail-280044-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","elected-members-parental-leave-of-absence-policy-issue-1","Elected Members Parental Leave of Absence Policy - Issue 1","","Defines the Westland District Council policy for elected members’ parental leave of absence, clarifying that it is not statutory parental leave under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987. Sets the scope, key definitions, and commencement date (20 July 2023). Describes eligibility for birth or adoption under 12 months, approval duration up to 6 months, duty suspension expectations, and unpaid status. Includes transition support upon return and scheduled policy review in June 2026.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/elected-members-parental-leave-of-absence-policy-issue-1/280044/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/elected-members-parental-leave-of-absence-policy-issue-1/280044.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Finn","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-29","2026-09-16",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":8},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"Does this policy provide statutory parental leave under the 1987 Act?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"No. The policy explains that elected members are not entitled to statutory “parental leave” because they are not subject to the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987. The term “parental leave of absence” in this policy has a specific meaning within council requirements.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"How long can an approved parental leave of absence last?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"An elected member may request and the Council may approve a parental leave of absence for up to 6 months. Approval also means the member must not carry out any duties, formal or informal, during the approved period.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What happens to an elected member’s remuneration during parental leave of absence?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"While on an approved parental leave of absence, the elected member will not be paid any remuneration or allowances. If the member continues in a partial capacity, remuneration reverts to the remuneration level applicable under the council’s determination.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},280044,1789532320,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":8,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":73,"language":135,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":125,"read_time":9},34359740700684,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/1f400023980c374ae676?_k=1777273430885731487","1. Purpose  \nAs the law stands, elected members are not entitled to statutory “parental leave”, as they are not subject to the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987. The purpose of this policy is to remove barriers that deter people running for council and create the right environment that encourages a more inclusive and supportive local government.  \n1.1 Scope  \nThis policy applies to the Elected Members of Westland District Council (WDC) .  \nThis policy assumes that a parental leave of absence will be total leave of absence, where no duties or functions are performed.  \nThe reference to parental leave in this policy does not mean “parental leave” as that term is used in the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987.  \n1.2 Commencement  \nThis policy comes into force on 20 July 2023  \n1.3 Definitions  \n“Remuneration Authority” is the independent body established by the Remuneration Authority Act 1977 whose responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2002, determine remuneration, expenses, and allowance rules for local authority members.  \n“Leave of absence” means a pre-approved absence for a specified period of time consistent with the council policy.  \n2. Policy  \n2.1 When an elected member gives birth or adopts a baby under 12 months old, the Council may approve a leave of absence understanding order clause 13.3 parental leave of absence.  \n2.2 A parental leave of absence may be approved for up to 6 months on request.  \n2.3 Approval of a parental leave of absence will mean that the elected member must not carry out any duties, either formal or informal.  \nThis will mean that the elected member will not attend any Council, Community Board, Local Board, or Committee meetings, meetings with external parties or constituent work. The elected member is also notable to speak publicly on behalf of the Council or represent the Council on any issue.  \n2.4 An elected member will not be paid any remuneration or allowances while on an approved parental leave of absence.  \n2.5 If a member continues in their role in a more limited (partial) capacity, such as attending to constituent  \nenquiries, [e.g. phone](e.g. phone) calls and engagements where possible, and reading, but not attending council meetings or workshops. Then their remuneration will revert to the remuneration received by a councillor with minimum allowable remuneration for their council, as set out in its determination.  \n2.6 Council will offer elected members returning from full parental leave, a programme to assist them to transition back into their former role. This may involve a briefing from the chief executive on matters of importance that occurred during the elected member’s absence.  \n3. Related Documents and Acts  \nThe following Westland District Council documents relate to this policy:  \n• Standing orders  \n• Elected Members Allowances Policy  \n• Remuneration Authority Determination  \nThe following Legislation relates to this policy:  \n• Remuneration Authority Act 1977  \n• Local Government Act 2002  \nElected Members are also referred to:  \n• Local Government New Zealand Parental leave of absence template  \n4. Policy Review  \nA review of this policy will take place in June 2026.  \n\n| Created: | June 2023 | Date for review: | June 2026 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Author: | GMCS & Risk Assurance | Authorised by: | Council |\n| Consulted on: |  | Version | 1 |","cbCaigBxLMtLuzee","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaigBxLMtLuzee","pdf",170202,"English","# Purpose\n## Scope\n## Commencement\n## Definitions\n# Policy\n## Approval criteria and duration\n## Duties and representation restrictions\n## Remuneration during leave\n## Partial capacity and remuneration adjustment\n## Return-to-role transition support\n# Related documents and acts\n# Policy review","[{\"question\":\"Does this policy provide statutory parental leave under the 1987 Act?\",\"answer\":\"No. The policy explains that elected members are not entitled to statutory “parental leave” because they are not subject to the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987. The term “parental leave of absence” in this policy has a specific meaning within council requirements.\"},{\"question\":\"How long can an approved parental leave of absence last?\",\"answer\":\"An elected member may request and the Council may approve a parental leave of absence for up to 6 months. Approval also means the member must not carry out any duties, formal or informal, during the approved period.\"},{\"question\":\"What happens to an elected member’s remuneration during parental leave of absence?\",\"answer\":\"While on an approved parental leave of absence, the elected member will not be paid any remuneration or allowances. If the member continues in a partial capacity, remuneration reverts to the remuneration level applicable under the council’s determination.\"}]","Elected Members Parental Leave of Absence Policy - Issue 1 | PDF"]