“Is $70,000 a good salary in New Zealand?” is one of the most-searched money questions in the country — and the answer depends heavily on where you live and your household. This guide breaks down what the typical Kiwi actually earns, how $70k compares, the cost of living by region, what counts as a high income, and — for migrants — the immigration median wage. It’s general information, not financial advice, and the figures are approximate, so check Stats NZ and Immigration NZ for the latest.
What the typical Kiwi earns
High salaries — and the immigration median wage
What counts as a high salary?
Broadly, anything above $150,000 — only around 6–7% of workers reach that, roughly 3–4% earn over $180k, and the top 1% earn about $250k+. Around one in five full-time employees now earns over $100,000. The best-paid sectors include tech and engineering, finance and insurance, mining/utilities, and senior public-sector and medical roles.
Salaries peak in your late 40s
Earnings typically rise with experience through your 20s and 30s and peak around the mid-to-late 40s, before easing later in your career. Graduates in most professional fields start well below the median, with IT and engineering grads often higher.
The immigration median wage
For migrants, the Immigration NZ median wage is $35.00/hour (about $72,800/year) from 9 March 2026. The general AEWV pay requirement was replaced with a market-rate test in March 2025, but this $35 figure still drives many thresholds — Green List roles, partner and dependant support, and skilled-residence pathways (some requiring 1.5× or 2× the median). Always confirm the current figure at immigration.govt.nz.
All figures here are approximate and change over time — check Stats NZ and Immigration NZ for the latest.
The gap between the median (~$69,836) and the average (~$81,484) is worth understanding: the average is pulled up by a relatively small number of very high earners, so the median — the exact middle of the workforce — is the more useful benchmark for what a typical worker actually takes home. To see what any salary means after tax, our PAYE calculator guide and tax rates guide do the maths.
Is $70,000 enough? Cost of living
A $70,000 salary works out to about $33.65 an hour (40 hours × 52 weeks) — just below the median hourly rate, and well above the minimum wage. Whether it feels comfortable comes down to your region and household.
Reference sources
- Stats NZ — Labour Market Statistics (income) and median earnings: stats.govt.nz
- Immigration New Zealand — the median wage and visa settings: immigration.govt.nz
- Employment New Zealand — minimum wage rates: employment.govt.nz
- Sorted — budgeting and making your income go further: sorted.org.nz
Housing is the swing factor: in Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga, high rents make $70k tighter, while in Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin or the smaller centres it stretches comfortably with room to save. A few ways to make it go further — contribute enough to KiwiSaver to get the full employer and government contributions, use public transport in the big cities, negotiate remote or flexible work to cut commuting costs, track your spending, and invest surplus in low-fee index or managed funds for the long term.
High incomes, careers, and the immigration median wage
Where small businesses borrow
The main trade-off is rate vs speed and flexibility. Named lenders below are examples of the landscape, not recommendations.
| Lender type | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Major banks (ANZ, BNZ, ASB, Westpac, Kiwibank) | The sharpest rates, larger or secured loans, established businesses | Usually need ~2 years’ trading history, financials and often security; approval can take 2–4 weeks |
| Non-bank & fintech lenders (e.g. Prospa, Bizcap, Moula, Heartland) | Fast funding, newer businesses, those who don’t fit bank criteria | Faster and more flexible, but noticeably higher rates; often assessed on bank-statement data |
| Overdraft / revolving credit | Short-term cash-flow gaps, if you already bank with the lender | Convenient and flexible; interest only on what you draw, but rates vary |
“Small business loan” has no official definition, but usually means commercial lending under about $250,000 to businesses with fewer than 20 staff. Always confirm each lender’s current rates, fees and criteria directly.
Two other common questions: salaries vary a lot by region and sector — Auckland and Wellington have the highest individual earnings (offsetting higher housing costs), and specialised sectors like mining, IT and finance have median pay well into six figures, while regional areas sit lower. And self-employment doesn’t automatically mean higher pay — Stats NZ data shows median earnings for the self-employed are often below those of wage and salary earners in the same age bracket. If you’re weighing a home purchase, note that banks generally cap lending at a debt-to-income ratio of about 6, so a $70,000 earner is broadly limited to around a $420,000 loan — our home loan calculator guide helps model this.
The verdict: is $70,000 a good salary?
For most people, yes — $70,000 is a solid, middle-income salary. It sits just below the national median, keeps you ahead of roughly half the country’s earners, and lets a single person or dual-income household live comfortably and save modestly outside the priciest suburbs. But it isn’t “wealthy”: with housing, food and transport costs rising faster than wages, buying property or raising a family in a major city is more realistic on a household income closer to $100k–$120k. In short, $70k is a stable, respectable income that puts you squarely in New Zealand’s middle class — comfortable in most of the country, and tighter in its most expensive cities.
Disclaimer: This article is general information about salaries and the cost of living in New Zealand, not financial or immigration advice. Salary, median-wage and cost-of-living figures are approximate, come from various sources (primarily Stats NZ and Immigration NZ), and change over time — always confirm current figures with the official sources before relying on them, and seek advice from a licensed immigration adviser for visa matters.
Indicative rates
Business lending is priced on risk, so rates vary widely — these are broad, indicative ranges; always confirm current rates.
| Loan type | Typical rate (p.a.) |
|---|---|
| Bank secured | ~8.5% – 14% |
| Bank unsecured | ~13% – 19% |
| Online / non-bank | ~18% – 35%+ |
| Government-backed / RDTI support | Varies (often below market) |
Frequently asked questions
Is $70,000 a good salary in NZ?
Yes — it sits just below the national median (around $69,836) and provides a comfortable living for singles or couples outside the most expensive cities. It works out to about $33.65 an hour, above the minimum wage but slightly below the median hourly rate of $35. In Auckland or Wellington, high rents make it tighter.
What is the median and average salary in New Zealand?
The median wage is $35.00 an hour — roughly $72,800 a year at 40 hours a week — and the median annual salary is about $69,836. The average (mean) is higher, around $81,484, because it’s pulled up by top earners. The median is the better benchmark for what a typical worker earns.
What’s considered a high salary in NZ?
Broadly, a salary above $150,000 is considered high — only about 6–7% of workers earn that, and roughly 3–4% earn over $180,000. Around one in five full-time employees now earns over $100,000, which places a single earner comfortably in the upper-income bracket.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in NZ?
Roughly $60k–$75k for a single person in a regional city, or $80k–$95k in Auckland or Wellington; couples and families in the big cities generally need $100k–$150k combined. It depends heavily on housing costs, which are the biggest single variable.
What is the current living wage and minimum wage?
The adult minimum wage is $23.95 an hour (from 1 April 2026), and the voluntary living wage is $28.95 an hour, rising to $29.90 from 1 September 2026. The minimum wage is a legal requirement; the living wage is a voluntary benchmark that many employers choose to pay.
What is the immigration median wage for a work visa?
Immigration NZ’s median wage is $35.00 an hour (about $72,800 a year) from 9 March 2026. While the general AEWV pay requirement moved to a market-rate test in 2025, this figure still sets thresholds for Green List roles, partner and dependant support, and residence pathways. Confirm the current figure at immigration.govt.nz.
