The minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay most workers in New Zealand. It is reviewed every year and any change takes effect on 1 April, so the rate stays fixed for the rest of the year. This guide sets out the current rates that apply from 1 April 2026, what they add up to each week and year, who qualifies for which rate, and how the minimum wage differs from the voluntary living wage. It is general information, not legal or employment advice.
Current minimum wage rates (from 1 April 2026)
New Zealand has three minimum wage rates, all published and enforced by employment.govt.nz (Employment New Zealand). The figure most people mean by “the minimum wage” is the adult rate. From 1 April 2026 the rates below apply and stay in place until the next annual review.
Key facts
- Adult minimum wage: .95/hour before tax (from 1 April 2026)
- Starting-out & training rate: .16/hour (80% of the adult rate)
- Under 16: no minimum wage is set in law
- Full-time (40 hrs/week): about 8/week or roughly ,800/year, gross
- Reviewed: every year, with any change taking effect on 1 April
- Casual workers: the minimum wage plus 8% holiday pay on top
- Underpaid? Free help from Employment New Zealand: 0800 20 90 20
The three minimum wage rates explained
Adult minimum wage — $23.95 an hour. This applies to most employees aged 16 and over who are not on the starting-out or training rate. It is a gross (before-tax) figure and is the rate most workers receive.
Starting-out minimum wage — $19.16 an hour. Set at 80% of the adult rate, this can apply to 16- and 17-year-olds in their first six continuous months with an employer, to some 18- and 19-year-olds who have recently been on a benefit, and to 16- to 19-year-olds whose employment agreement requires industry training.
Training minimum wage — $19.16 an hour. Also 80% of the adult rate, this applies to employees aged 20 and over whose agreement requires them to complete at least 60 credits a year in an approved industry training programme.
There is no minimum wage for employees under 16, although all other employment rights still apply to them.
| Rate | Per hour (from 1 Apr 2026) | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $23.95 | Most employees aged 16 and over |
| Starting-out | $19.16 | Certain 16–19 year-olds (e.g. first 6 months, or in training) |
| Training | $19.16 | Workers 20+ doing approved industry training (60+ credits/year) |
| Under 16 | No legal minimum | No minimum wage is set for under-16s |
What the minimum wage adds up to each week and year
The law sets an hourly minimum, so weekly and annual totals depend on how many hours you work. The figures below use the $23.95 adult rate and are gross — before PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver and any student loan deductions.
Weekly and annual pay
| Hours per week | Weekly (gross) | Annual (×52) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | 9.00 | ~,908 |
| 30 hours | 8.50 | ~,362 |
| 40 hours (full-time) | 8.00 | ~,816 |
| 50 hours |
,197.50 |
~,270 |
All figures use the .95 adult rate and are before tax. Take-home pay is lower once PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver and any student loan are deducted.
There is no official “minimum wage after tax” figure, because your take-home pay depends on your tax code and deductions. Inland Revenue explains how income tax works at ird.govt.nz. To estimate your net pay, see our PAYE calculator guide, and our tax rates guide shows the current brackets.
Who gets which rate
A few rules decide which rate applies and what extras are owed:
- 16- and 17-year-olds: often start on the starting-out rate, then move to the adult rate after six continuous months with the same employer — or sooner if they train or supervise other staff.
- Casual and part-time workers: entitled to the same hourly minimum as permanent staff, plus 8% holiday pay on top where it is paid as you go.
- Migrant and work-visa holders: entitled to the same minimum as citizens and residents; some visa categories require employers to pay well above the minimum.
- Salaried employees: salary divided by the hours actually worked must never fall below the hourly minimum, even in busy weeks.
How your pay compares with typical earnings is a separate question — our guide to salaries in New Zealand covers median and average pay across the workforce.
Minimum wage vs the living wage
These two terms are often confused. The minimum wage ($23.95) is a legal floor every eligible employer must pay. The living wage ($29.90 an hour from 1 September 2026, up from $28.95) is a voluntary benchmark calculated independently to reflect what a household needs to cover rent, food, transport and basic participation in the community. Many councils, NGOs and accredited employers choose to pay it, but it is not required by law — the current figure is published at livingwage.org.nz.
| Minimum wage | Living wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | $23.95/hour | $29.90/hour |
| Status | Legal requirement | Voluntary benchmark |
| Set by | Government (annual review) | Independent researchers |
| Updates | 1 April each year | 1 September each year |
| Applies to | All eligible employees | Staff of accredited employers only |
Our living wage guide explains how the figure is calculated. If you are budgeting on either rate, the NZ budget planner and the free tools at sorted.org.nz can help you stretch your income.
How and when the minimum wage changes
The government reviews the minimum wage each year, weighing inflation, the cost of living, wage growth and the effect on businesses and jobs. Any change takes effect on 1 April and is usually announced several weeks beforehand, so the rate is stable for the rest of the year — searches for a “September” or “July” minimum wage return the same 1 April figure. Employers must update payroll from 1 April, so it is worth checking your early-April payslip to confirm the new rate has been applied. The living wage updates separately on 1 September.
If you think you are being underpaid
Every hour you work must be paid at no less than the minimum wage that applies to you, and unpaid work beyond a genuine, agreed paid trial is not allowed. If your pay falls short, keep your payslips and a record of the hours you worked and raise it with your employer first. Free, confidential help is available from Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20, which can also help recover wages you are owed.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about the New Zealand minimum wage, not legal or employment advice. Rates are set by the government and change every year on 1 April (the living wage updates on 1 September), so always confirm the current figure with Employment New Zealand before relying on it. If you believe you are being paid less than the minimum wage, free help is available from Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20.
Sources
- Employment New Zealand — Minimum wage rates and types: employment.govt.nz
- Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment — Minimum wage set for 2026: mbie.govt.nz
- Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ — New 2026–2027 Living Wage Rate: livingwage.org.nz
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in NZ right now?
From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is $23.95 an hour, applying to most employees aged 16 and over. The starting-out and training rates are $19.16 (80% of the adult rate), and there is no minimum wage for under-16s. Rates change each 1 April, so confirm the current figure with Employment New Zealand.
What does the minimum wage work out to per week and year?
At the $23.95 adult rate, a 40-hour week is $958 before tax, which is roughly $49,800 a year over 52 weeks. Part-time hours scale down proportionally — 20 hours a week is $479. These are gross figures, so PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver and any student loan reduce your take-home pay.
What is the difference between the minimum wage and the living wage?
The minimum wage ($23.95) is a legal requirement every eligible employer must pay. The living wage ($29.90 from 1 September 2026) is a voluntary benchmark reflecting what a household needs for a decent standard of living. It is higher, but it is not required by law, though many employers choose to pay it.
Do 16 and 17-year-olds get the full minimum wage?
Not always. Many 16- and 17-year-olds start on the lower starting-out rate ($19.16), which can apply during their first six continuous months with an employer. Once they have completed six months, or if they train or supervise others, they move to the adult minimum wage. There is no minimum wage for under-16s.
When does the minimum wage change?
Every year on 1 April, following the government’s annual review of inflation, living costs, wage growth and business conditions. The new rate is usually announced several weeks beforehand and stays fixed until the next 1 April — there are no mid-year changes. The living wage updates separately on 1 September.
