Minimum Wage in New Zealand

The New Zealand adult minimum wage was 23.50 New Zealand dollars an hour from 1 April 2025, reviewed every year by the government.

Overview

The minister responsible for workplace relations sets the rate annually after advice from officials, with changes usually taking effect on 1 April. Starting out and training rates are set at 80 percent of the adult rate. New Zealand was an early pioneer of statutory wage setting through its 1894 arbitration system, while the modern Minimum Wage Act dates from 1983. Living wage campaigns push for a higher voluntary benchmark, which some councils and employers have adopted.