One thing is for sure - National's carrot will be smaller than Labour's.
The Opposition party is promising an extension from 14 weeks' to 26 weeks' paid parental leave for eligible parents, and a "baby bonus" of $60 a week to the parents of all newborn babies in their first year, with the exception of those earning more than $150,000.
The offer would bring New Zealand into line with other OECD countries.
National is also promising an extension of paid parental leave, but not of the same magnitude.
Those in favour of a rise to 26 weeks argue it's about time New Zealand got its act together and placed more value on its children, while those against - namely the Government - say the country simply can't afford such an extensive policy.
Where we stand
About 40 per cent of Kiwi parents with new babies take paid parental leave, says Finance Minister Bill English.
To qualify they need to have worked for the same employer for six months before the baby's birth, and leave is paid out at a maximum of $488.17 a week before tax - dependent on your pre-child income.
New Zealand has one of the least generous paid parental leave provisions in the OECD, with similar entitlements to nations such as Algeria and Malta. Australia gives mothers 18 weeks, and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is planning to expand the scheme to 26 weeks next year.
In Sweden, parents receive 480 days' leave for each child, including 390 at around 80 per cent of their salary.
However, many countries pay for parental leave out of social or employment insurance rather than directly from the Government.
Labour MP Sue Moroney's private member's bill to extend parental leave from 14 weeks to 26 weeks is before Parliament, dividing a select committee of three National and three Opposition MPs who could not agree on whether it should pass into law.
The committee's report showed that of 3809 submissions on extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks, 99.6 per cent were in favour.
Many prominent bodies have sent public submissions in support, such as a coalition of organisations called Every Child Counts which includes Plunket, Barnardos and Unicef.
In its submission the coalition argues the foundations for optimal development are laid in the first 1000 days of life, "when the most important physical, mental, social and emotional development occurs".
"Successful early development in infants depends on secure attachment to an emotionally available caregiver able to respond to the infant's needs."
Paid parental leave gives parents the chance to give their child the best start in life, which results in their becoming healthier, better educated, and more productive adults, it says.
Down to business
Paid parental leave is also good for employers, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett.
As chairman of the Equal Opportunities Trust, Mr Barnett has spoken in favour of paid parental leave, saying it gives an employer a chance to hire temporary contractors and increase workplace diversity.
The first few months of a child's life is a critical time to spend with its parents, he says, and maternity leave should not be considered a barrier to young women entering or returning to the workforce.
The key is getting employers to learn to manage it effectively, and so far they are learning.
If employees on parental leave remain in regular contact with their workplace - even coming in for an hour or two each week - it can ease their transition back into the workplace, he says.
"I guess the message there to employers is this is the way of life, it's good for our communities, I think it can be a good reason why people work at your place."
National and Act have said they will vote against the proposed legislation, with the Government indicating it will veto the bill even if it has enough support to pass its third reading - which looks likely.
Mr English says Labour's policy is too expensive, and would cost the Government $500 million over four years.
The Government has subsequently indicated it will extend the scheme, but not to the 26-week threshold proposed by Labour.
However Ms Moroney said last month Mr English was overstating the cost, and the select committee's report gave detailed costings for extending the scheme.
The Treasury estimated the additional cost would be $276 million over three years, with savings of at least $28.4 million once the scheme was fully implemented.
The bill proposed a staged increase, adding four weeks of leave each year over three years.
"The report shows Bill English's assertion that the bill would cost $500 million ... was over-egged with official advice to the committee costing the net amount at $220 million over the next three years," Ms Moroney said.
Mr Barnett says he can't understand why politicians have been unable to forecast more accurate figures, based on what the existing 14-week law already costs.
"We deserve to be able to have good information on which we can make a decision."
If accurate calculations determine the country cannot afford 26 weeks, a compromise needs to be considered, he says.
An alternative view
New Zealand Children's Commissioner Russell Wills argues for a different approach.
While extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks is positive for those already receiving support, to truly help Kiwi children the Government needs to offer support to all parents.
Tens of thousands of mostly young, poorer mothers miss out on any paid parental leave, because they might not meet the employment criteria, he says.
Such mothers might be engaged in casual work, or working in multiple jobs such as cleaning contracts.
"So that 46 per cent or so of women, their babies are at much higher risk of poverty and other (negative) outcomes and that's the group who most need the support and who will miss out on this."
A universal child benefit for a child's first year of life is the best way to support those who fall through the cracks, he says.
"Most newborns are born to families that aren't wealthy. Parents of very young children are often at the beginning of their earnings cycle."
He would like to see parties offer policies investing in the neediest children this year.
"What I'm asking of political parties is to think about this issue of how we support children from the perspective of children - so which children most need our help, and what would that look like from their perspective," he said. APNZ
