Minimum Wage in NZ(New Zealand): A Comprehensive Guide

By Erik Murthy April 3, 2024 August 13th, 2025 No Comments

The minimum wage represents the legal baseline salary employers must pay their workers for their labour. It protects against exploitation, guaranteeing that employees attain a fair and respectable quality of life.

By establishing this baseline compensation, minimum wage laws aim to reduce poverty, prevent labour exploitation, and promote social equity in the workforce. Different categories of workers, such as adults, youth, and apprentices, often have distinct minimum wage rates set by legislation. 1. Current Minimum Wage Rates in New Zealand

As per the Government of New Zealand’s updated changes, the minimum wage rate 2025 will increase to $23.50 per hour from April 1, 2025.

Table 1 : Minimum Wage Rates as of 1 April 2024

Type of minimum wage

Per hour

8 hour day

40 hour week

80 hour fortnight

Adult

$185.2

$926.0

$1,852.0

Starting-out

$18.5

$148.2

$740.8

$1,481.6

Training

$1...