Minimum Wage – New Zealand
- Valid in March 2026
- Minimum wage with effect from 1 April 2025.
- Minimum wage with effect till 31 March 2026.
- The amounts are in New Zealand Dollar.
Minimum Wage
| Per hour | Per day (8 hrs) | Per week (40 hrs) | Per fortnight (80 hrs) | |
| Adult | $23.50 | $188.00 | $940.00 | $1,880.00 |
| Starting-out | $18.80 | $150.40 | $752.00 | $1,504.00 |
| Training | $18.80 | $150.40 | $752.00 | $1,504.00 |
Working Hours
Minimum wage rates are stipulated by a single statute. The adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not starting-out workers or trainees, and all employees who are involved in supervising or training other employees. The starting-out wage applies to starting-out workers aged 19 years or less. The training minimum wage applies to employees aged 20 years or over. Under the starting-out wage, eligible 16-to-19-year-olds can be paid 80% of the adult minimum wage for 6 months or for as long as they are undertaking recognised industry training of at least 40 credits per year. Under the training wage scheme, after completing 3 months or 200 hours of employment (whichever is completed first) at not less than 80% of the minimum adult rate, the worker is entitled to be paid at the minimum adult rate. Groups are eligible for the starting-out wage. These are: * 16- and 17-year-old employees who have not yet completed six months of continuous employment with their current employer (or until they are training or supervising others): * 18- and 19-year-old employees who have been paid a specified social security benefit for six months or more, and who have not yet completed six months continuous employment with any employer since they started being paid a benefit (or until they are training or supervising others).
Definitions
Wages per month are calculated as 4.33 times if a weekly wage is defined. It is calculated as 4.33 times the standard hours per week if an hourly wage is given.
More information is available at
- Minimum Wages around the World
- News about Minimum Wages
- Minimum Wage and Labour Law
- Minimum Wage Regulations
- About the Minimum Wages Database
- This page is maintained by mywage.co.nz and Wageindicator.org, 2026. MyWage constantly researches and updates the minimum wage rate. However, some information in the tables may not be accurate. If you find an error, please let MyWage know by filling out the contact form.
Disclaimer
The Minimum Wage tool is powered by WageIndicator’s data. Although our datasets are cleaned, scientifically checked and benchmarked, no responsibility can be taken for 100% accuracy. The information and data displayed are not necessarily comprehensive, complete, accurate or up to date at all times. Using the data from the Minimum Wage tool is at the user’s own risk.
