Do I have to pay my nanny when I go away? | Pay The Nanny [ ![Pay the nanny logo](https://assets.paythenanny.nz/images/logo-white.png) ](/) [Parents](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Families) [Nannies](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Nannies) [Agencies](https://paythenanny.nz/for-agencies) [Pricing](https://paythenanny.nz/pricing) [Contact](https://paythenanny.nz/contact) [Sign Up](https://paythenanny.nz/signup) [Log In](https://paythenanny.nz/app/login) Article ------- Do I have to pay my nanny when I go away? ========================================= By Mark Hudson · 09 April, 2026 School holidays are a popular time for families to travel, but what happens to your nanny while you’re away? Understanding your obligations around pay and leave is key to avoiding confusion, staying compliant, and maintaining a positive working relationship. ![Do I have to pay my nanny when I go away?](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2485/conversions/RfQr0fYiTKkEkJwJZR47-webp-featured.webp) Going Away These School Holidays? Here's What Happens to Your Nanny's Pay ------------------------------------------------------------------------- School holidays have a way of creeping up fast. One week you're thinking vaguely about maybe getting away, and the next you're booking flights and sorting pet care and trying to remember where you put the passports. Somewhere in that blur, a question surfaces that a lot of families find themselves unsure about: Do you still need to pay your nanny if you're not actually home? It's one of the most common things we get asked at [Pay The Nanny](https://paythenanny.nz/), and it makes sense that it catches people off guard. The general answer, in most situations, is yes, though as with most things in employment, the detail matters and there's usually a good path forward when both parties approach it openly. Your nanny is an employee. That shapes your obligations. -------------------------------------------------------- In New Zealand, nannies are generally employees under the [Employment Relations Act 2000](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/should-your-nanny-be-a-contractor-or-an-employee) and the Holidays Act 2003, which means they have the same core rights as anyone else on a payroll. If your nanny is available and ready to work, but there's no work because you've chosen to go away, the starting point under employment law is that they're generally still entitled to be paid. That said, this is also one of those areas where a good working relationship and an early conversation can resolve things simply and fairly. Most nannies understand the reality of family life, and most families are reasonable when it comes to their nanny's needs. The key is not leaving it until the last minute. Can you ask your nanny to take annual leave while you're gone? -------------------------------------------------------------- You can certainly have that conversation, and often it works out well. Under the Holidays Act, employers can direct employees to take annual leave during a genuine shutdown period, provided it's either included in the employment agreement or agreed to with reasonable notice. Outside of that, any use of annual leave during your absence would need to be something your nanny is comfortable with. In practice, this is rarely a sticking point when it's raised early and approached as a two-way discussion rather than a last-minute arrangement. Many nannies are happy to use leave over school holidays, particularly if they have young children of their own or had already planned to take time off. It’s also important to note that a shutdown period can only occur once per year, you can’t have multiple throughout the year. What tends to work well ----------------------- Families that navigate this easily usually do one of a few things. Some simply continue paying as normal while they're away. It's the most straightforward option and keeps everything ticking along without any need for formal arrangements. For established placements, this kind of consistency also tends to strengthen the relationship over time. Others agree with their nanny in advance to use annual leave for the period or include the dates with the employment contract. When this is arranged early and there's sufficient leave available, it works well for everyone. The important thing is that it's genuinely agreed, with enough notice that your nanny can plan accordingly. Some families keep their nanny working during the absence with slightly adjusted duties, things like organising the children's spaces, preparing for the return, or light tasks related to the children's routine. This can be a practical option for shorter trips. And if neither of you wants to use annual leave but your nanny is also comfortable not working, unpaid leave is an option too. This just needs to be agreed by both parties and clearly documented so there's no confusion later. Why it pays to plan ahead ------------------------- School holidays are predictable, which is actually quite helpful. Having a relaxed conversation a few weeks out, well before term ends, gives everyone time to work out what suits them both. It also means your nanny isn't left waiting to hear what's happening with their pay while you're mid-pack. Most of these situations resolve easily with a bit of goodwill on both sides. And if you'd like some guidance on what your employment agreement says, or just want to make sure you're handling things correctly, our team at [Pay The Nanny](https://paythenanny.nz/contact) is always happy to help. We deal with these questions regularly and can help you find an approach that works for everyone. A quick example --------------- Say you're heading away for nine days over the April school holidays. If nothing has been discussed and your nanny is available to work, the default position is that their usual pay would apply. If you've talked it through and your nanny agrees to take annual leave, their leave balance covers those days and everything is handled through their normal entitlement. If they don't have quite enough leave, a combination of available leave and a short period of unpaid leave, agreed by both sides and written down, is a perfectly workable solution. None of this is complicated when it's handled early and in good faith. That's really the heart of it. How Pay The Nanny Can Help -------------------------- Managing situations like this can feel tricky, especially when you’re balancing compliance with maintaining a great relationship. At Pay The Nanny, we help families: - Understand their obligations clearly - Manage annual leave and payroll correctly - Stay compliant with New Zealand employment laws So when school holidays roll around, you can focus on your break, knowing everything is handled properly behind the scenes. [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/602/conversions/Wj6HSTDuMOJl7FSihI8M-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/increase-sick-leave-for-nannies)By Mark Hudson · 10 June, 2021 ### [Increased Sick Leave for Nannies](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/increase-sick-leave-for-nannies) INCREASED SICK LEAVE FOR NANNIES As nannies have increased in popularity, you may be considering hiring a nanny for your home. They can be a great alternative to child care and may even save you money if you have more than one child.  If you already have a nanny, you may not have heard about the recent legislation passed around required sic [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/increase-sick-leave-for-nannies) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/530/conversions/jcoFC2Kt7hdhM5U2QqPT-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-much-should-i-pay-a-nanny-in-new-zealand-in-2024)By Mark Hudson · 19 February, 2024 ### [How much should I pay a nanny in New Zealand in 2024?](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-much-should-i-pay-a-nanny-in-new-zealand-in-2024) Wondering how much to pay your nanny in 2024? This guide breaks down updated New Zealand nanny pay rates, regional averages, and employer obligations plus how Pay The Nanny can handle payroll, taxes, leave, and KiwiSaver to make life easier for busy families. 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[Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/2023-nanny-pay-rates-guide-for-new-zealand) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/992/conversions/pbTvWDYKl4ttgPtrtxZZ-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/a-guide-to-holiday-pay-for-nannies-in-new-zealand)By Mark Hudson · 28 October, 2024 ### [A Guide to Holiday Pay for Nannies in New Zealand ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/a-guide-to-holiday-pay-for-nannies-in-new-zealand) Managing holiday pay for your nanny can feel complicated, but it's essential for families in New Zealand to comply with the Holidays Act. In this guide, we'll simplify how to calculate and manage holiday pay, including public holidays and leave entitlements, while showing how Pay The Nanny can help streamline the process. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/a-guide-to-holiday-pay-for-nannies-in-new-zealand) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/559/conversions/5SJ7QcTRJnOFKPoc9Dyf-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/public-holidays-for-nannies-in-new-zealand)By Mark Hudson · 18 September, 2022 ### [Public Holidays for Nannies in New Zealand](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/public-holidays-for-nannies-in-new-zealand) Public Holidays can get confusing—especially when it comes to nanny pay, leave, and entitlements. This guide breaks down your legal obligations as an employer and how Pay The Nanny can help you manage it all stress-free. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/public-holidays-for-nannies-in-new-zealand) ![Pay the nanny](https://paythenanny.nz/images/logo-white.png)Join Our Community Stay in the loop! Subscribe to receive the latest updates, exclusive content, and special offers straight to your inbox. 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