A leading advocate for extending parental leave would prefer additional leave for fathers.

It comes after National tried to amend the government's bill to allow both parents to spend 13-weeks of paid leave, rather than just one for the full 26-weeks.

26 For Babies Convener, Rebecca Mathews said additional time off for fathers would be better.

However, she told Mike Hosking all evidence suggests 26-weeks in a row with one parent, is better than two over 13 weeks.

"For secure attachment, for exclusive breastfeeding, for all of those things and also the alternative in terms of going out into early childhood education."

LISTEN ABOVE AS REBECCA MATHEWS SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING