13. Employee Benefits

Actual
2008
$000
  Actual
2009
$000
  Current employee entitlements are represented by
152 Vested long-service leave 105
2,835 Vested annual leave 2,817
126 Accrued sick leave 180
1,691 Accrued salaries and wages 1,819
4,804 Total current employee benefits 4,921
  Non-current employee entitlements are represented by
3,240 Vested retirement leave 3,190
1,468 Unvested long-service and retirement leave 1,283
4,708 Total non-current employee benefits 4,473
9,512 Total employee entitlements 9,394

The present value of the retirement and long-service leave obligations depend on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a number of assumptions. Two key assumptions used in calculating this liability include the discount rate (5.96% for 3+ years) and the salary inflation factor (3.5% long term). Any changes in these assumptions will impact on the carrying amount of the liability.

In determining the appropriate discount rate, LINZ considered the interest rates on New Zealand government bonds with terms to maturity that match, as closely to possible, the estimated future cash outflows. The salary inflation factor has been based on the rate supplied by the Treasury.