Bereavement Leave in New Zealand: Supporting Staff Through Loss

Bereavement leave is more than a legal duty—it’s a human response to life-changing events. Managing this sensitively while staying compliant builds trust and care into your workplace culture.

Key Entitlements in NZ

• Immediate Family → At least three days paid bereavement leave after six months’ continuous (or qualifying part-time) employment, when a close family member dies (spouse/partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or spouse/partner’s parent).

• Extended Relationships → At least one day paid bereavement leave for others if the employer is satisfied the person was significant to the employee.

• Cultural Context → Take into account cultural obligations such as tangihanga or funeral customs.

From Obligation to Opportunity

In an innovation workspace mindset, bereavement leave isn’t just leave—it’s an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and empathy, reinforcing loyalty and respect.

Common Employer Considerations

• Cultural Awareness → Train managers to handle leave requests with sensitivity to cultural differences.

• Policy Clarity → Define “significant relationship” criteria to avoid uncertainty.

• Operational Planning → Have contingency coverage for unexpected absences.

Steps to Get It Right

• Document bereavement leave rules clearly in your policies.

• Encourage open communication during challenging times.

• Review processes regularly to ensure cultural and legal alignment.

Speak with our HR experts today for guidance on creating a clear bereavement leave policy