The Letter of Intent for Maternity Leave is a crucial document in New Zealand's employment landscape, designed to initiate the formal process of maternity leave arrangements between an employee and their employer. This document is typically prepared when an employee becomes aware of their pregnancy and has decided on their intended leave period. It must comply with the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 and other relevant New Zealand employment legislation. The letter serves multiple purposes: it provides formal notification to the employer, outlines the proposed timeline for leave, indicates the employee's intentions regarding return to work, and may include initial proposals for work handover arrangements. This document is often the first step in a larger process that includes formal leave applications and arrangements for parental leave payments.

1. Employee Details: Full name, position, department, and employee ID of the person requesting maternity leave

2. Intended Leave Dates: Clear statement of the intended start and end dates of the maternity leave period

3. Leave Duration: Total duration of the intended leave period

4. Return to Work Intention: Statement of intention regarding return to work, including anticipated return date

5. Current Projects/Responsibilities: Brief overview of current work responsibilities and proposed handover arrangements

6. Contact Details: How the employee can be contacted during the leave period if necessary