Staying at home with a newborn for 26 weeks is a no-go as Finance Minister Bill English plans to stop it in its tracks this week.

When the Paid Parental Leave bill passed its second reading in Parliament two weeks ago, English made it clear he still intended to block the bill.

Its second reading passed with 61 votes - support came from Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party, UnitedFuture and NZ First - while National and ACT opposed the bill with 60 votes.

Returning to work after babies Share your stories, photos and videos. Contribute

The third and final reading of the bill, which was expected to pass on June 29, won't even be voted on if English has already lodged a certificate of financial veto with the Clerk of the House.

READ MORE:

*Increased paid parental leave to be vetoed

*Paid parental leave - is it enough?

*Paid parental leave extended for pre-term babies

*Paid Parental leave legislation passes first hurdle over Government opposition

*Paid parental leave bill finally defeated

English has always maintained the bill isn't affordable while Labour MP Sue Moroney, who introduced the bill, said the government's opposition to the bill was more about politics than finances.

"National's veto against the needs of children is further evidence of a Government that's out of touch with the demands and pressures facing middle New Zealand families," she said.

"A financial veto hasn't been used on an entire bill since the measure was introduced under MMP."

The bill is in Parliament for a second time, previously it was narrowly defeated in February last year when National and ACT voted against it. That balance of power has since shifted with NZ First leader Winston Peters winning the Northland seat off National.

On April 1 paid parental leave increased to 18 weeks under the Government - since 2014 paid leave has been phased in through two week increments, starting at 14 weeks.

Last week members of Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party and NZ First attended a gathering along with supporters of 26 weeks to "urge the Government to back parents and not use its financial veto".