The decision has been reversed by the Employment Relations Authority. Photo / Thinkstock
A Fijian woman denied paid parental leave after adopting a baby from her home country has had the decision reversed by the Employment Relations Authority.
Famina Khan adopted the baby of a family friend in Fiji in May 2014. She had to spend three months in Fiji with the baby
before the adoption could be formally registered.
Her employer, Oceania, granted her paid parental leave, but the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) declined her application.
MBIE said Mrs Khan had failed to give proper notice of the adoption and didn't meet the legislative requirements of taking care of the baby with the view to adopt in accordance with New Zealand law.
Mrs Khan submitted that MBIE was wrong to decline the application because Mrs Khan and her husband remained Fijian citizens and the adoption occurred under Fijian law, not New Zealand law.
