Minimum Wage NZ 2025: Rates, Types & 2026 Increase
If you earn an hourly wage in New Zealand, the annual minimum wage update is one of the most important dates on the calendar. For 2025, the adult rate sits at $23.15 an hour, a figure that shapes budgets for thousands of households, and the 2026 increase to $23.95 is already confirmed.
Adult minimum wage (2025): $23.15/hour · Starting-out / training wage (2025): $18.52/hour · Adult minimum wage (from 1 April 2026): $23.95/hour · No minimum wage for employees under 16: Applicable
Quick snapshot
- Adult: $23.15/hour (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- Starting-out/Training: $18.52/hour (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- In effect from 1 April 2025 (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- Adult: $23.95/hour (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment))
- Starting-out/Training: $19.16/hour (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment))
- In effect from 1 April 2026 (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment))
- Under 16: No minimum wage (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- 16-17: Starting-out wage applies (Business.govt.nz (government business advice))
- 18+: Adult minimum wage applies (Business.govt.nz (government business advice))
- Future minimum wage rates beyond 2026 unannounced and depend on government decisions.
- Exact impact of the 2026 increase on specific industries not yet measured.
Five key rates across two years, one pattern: the adult rate defines the floor, while starting-out and training rates stay at 80% of that floor.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Year (2025) | Adult minimum wage is $23.15/hour (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)) |
| Next Year (2026) | Adult minimum wage will be $23.95/hour from 1 April (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment)) |
| Weekly Pay (40 hrs @ $23.15) | $926.00 gross (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)) |
| Min Wage for 15 yr old | None (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)) |
| Living Wage 2025/26 | $28.95/hour |
The $23.15 adult minimum wage means a full‑time worker on 40 hours a week takes home $926 before tax. For a household budget, that’s roughly $4,000 a month – a number that’s been rising steadily each year.
What is the minimum wage in New Zealand for 2025?
Adult minimum wage rate 2025
From 1 April 2025, the adult minimum wage in New Zealand is $23.15 per hour. This applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not on a starting‑out or training wage (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)).
Starting-out and training wage rates 2025
The starting‑out wage and the training wage are both set at $18.52 per hour from 1 April 2025 – exactly 80% of the adult rate (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)).
- Starting‑out wage: For workers aged 16–19 in their first six months with an employer, or for 18–19 year‑olds who have been on a benefit for more than six months (The Beehive (government Q&A)).
- Training wage: For employees aged 20 and over who are completing at least 60 credits per year of an industry training programme (Business.govt.nz (government business advice)).
No minimum wage for under‑16 employees
New Zealand law sets no statutory minimum wage for anyone under 16 years old. Employers and employees agree on a rate, though other employment protections still apply (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)).
The pattern shows that the adult rate sets the baseline, and younger or less experienced workers face a 20% discount until they qualify for the full rate.
What is 40 hours minimum wage in NZ?
Calculating weekly minimum wage earnings
Working 40 hours a week at the adult minimum wage ($23.15) gives $926.00 gross per week. At the starting‑out or training wage ($18.52), the same hours yield $740.80 gross per week (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)).
| Wage type | Hourly rate | Weekly (40 hrs) | Fortnightly (80 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult minimum (2025) | $23.15 | $926.00 | $1,852.00 |
| Adult minimum (2026) | $23.95 | $958.00 | $1,916.00 |
| Starting‑out/training (2025) | $18.52 | $740.80 | $1,481.60 |
| Starting‑out/training (2026) | $19.16 | $766.40 | $1,532.80 |
Gross vs net pay
Gross earnings are before tax and any deductions such as KiwiSaver or student loan repayments. For a 40‑hour week at $23.15, the net take‑home will be lower after PAYE and ACC levies. Tools like the How to Calculate Tax Refund NZ guide can help you estimate what you’ll actually keep.
The implication is clear: even a small hourly increase adds up significantly over a full‑time schedule.
Is minimum wage going up in 2026 in NZ?
Confirmed 2026 minimum wage increase
Yes. The New Zealand Government has confirmed the adult minimum wage will rise to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026. The starting‑out and training rates will increase to $19.16 per hour on the same date (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment)).
New rates from 1 April 2026
- Adult minimum wage: $23.95/hour
- Starting‑out wage: $19.16/hour
- Training wage: $19.16/hour
The increase was announced by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety in December 2025 (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment)).
For employers, the 2026 rise adds about $2,500 a year in labour cost per full‑time minimum‑wage worker. For workers, it’s a $32‑a‑week gross increase – modest but meaningful against rising living costs.
The pattern is that the government attempts to balance worker support with business sustainability.
What is the minimum wage in NZ for a 15 year old and a 16 year old?
Employees under 16 years old
There is no minimum wage for anyone under 16 (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)).
Employees 16 and 17 years old
At 16 or 17, you must be paid at least the starting‑out wage of $18.52/hour in 2025, unless you’re supervising others or have completed six months of continuous employment with the same employer – in which case the adult rate applies (The Beehive (government Q&A)).
- If you’re 16 or 17 and in your first six months: $18.52/hour.
- After six months or if you supervise staff: $23.15/hour.
- If you’re on an industry training programme with at least 40 credits a year: the training wage may apply instead.
Young workers should track their tenure to ensure they move to the higher adult rate as soon as eligible.
What is the lowest paid job in New Zealand?
Jobs often paid at minimum wage
No job can legally pay less than the minimum wage, except for under‑16s or those on starting‑out/training wages. Roles in hospitality, retail, and cleaning commonly have high proportions of minimum‑wage workers (Employment New Zealand (official government guide)).
Variations by sector
Some sectors, such as horticulture and agriculture, have specific industry agreements, but the statutory minimum still applies. The NZ Living Wage 2025 guide explains how the voluntary living wage benchmark ($28.95/hour) compares to the legal floor.
Minimum‑wage workers in hospitality often face irregular hours. A $23.15 hourly rate means nothing if you’re only scheduled 20 hours a week. Always check your total weekly earnings, not just the hourly figure.
The catch is that hourly rates alone don’t guarantee a livable income – total hours matter.
Timeline of New Zealand minimum wage changes
- : Adult minimum wage $22.70/hour (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- : Adult minimum wage $23.15/hour; starting‑out/training $18.52/hour (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- : Living wage updated to $28.95/hour (Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand (accrediting body))
- : Adult minimum wage $23.95/hour; starting‑out/training $19.16/hour (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment))
The 2026 increase is already set, but the rate for 2027 and beyond will be decided by the government of the day. Workers and employers should treat every April as a potential wage‑floor reset.
The timeline shows consistent annual increases, but no guarantee of future rises.
Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s still unknown
Confirmed facts
- Current 2025 minimum wage rates: adult $23.15, starting‑out/training $18.52 (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- No minimum wage for employees under 16 (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
- 2026 minimum wage increase to $23.95 adult and $19.16 starting‑out/training, effective 1 April 2026 (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment))
What’s unclear
- Future minimum wage rates beyond 2026 are unannounced and depend on government decisions.
- The exact impact of the 2026 increase on specific industries is not yet measured.
- The number of workers currently earning exactly the minimum wage is an estimate.
Quotes and perspectives
“The [2026] increase strikes a balance between supporting workers with the cost of living and ensuring businesses can continue to grow and employ people.”
– Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, as reported in the MBIE press release (MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment))
“Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage must be paid at least this amount. There are different minimum wage rates for different groups of employees.”
– Employment New Zealand (official government guide) (Employment New Zealand (official government guide))
The two quotes reflect the government’s balancing act: raising the floor without choking business, while the official guide lays out the legal framework.
Summary: what the 2025–2026 minimum wage means for you
The adult minimum wage in New Zealand rises from $23.15 in 2025 to $23.95 in 2026 – a $0.80 increase over two years. For a full‑time worker, that’s an extra $1,664 a year gross, though tax will take a slice. The starting‑out and training rates remain pegged at 80% of the adult rate, and under‑16s have no statutory floor. For a young worker or someone entering the workforce, the decision is clear: 40 hours at the adult rate gives $926 a week in 2025, but the same hours at the starting‑out rate give only $740.80. That $185 gap every week is the cost of experience – and it closes on 1 April 2026, when the floor shifts upward again.
Young workers on starting-out wages face a $185 weekly gap compared to adult minimum wage workers, but the 2026 increase will narrow that gap.
peninsulagrouplimited.co.nz, employment.govt.nz, cnsst.org.nz
New Zealand will see a further adjustment with the 2026 minimum wage increase to $23.95 per hour in April 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in NZ for 2025 before and after tax?
The before‑tax (gross) minimum wage is $23.15 per hour for adults. After tax, the amount depends on your total earnings and tax code. Use the How to Calculate Tax Refund NZ guide for an estimate.
What is the minimum wage for a 20 year old in New Zealand?
At 20, you are entitled to the adult minimum wage of $23.15 per hour in 2025, unless you are on a training wage (completing an approved programme with at least 60 credits a year).
Does the minimum wage in NZ increase every year?
Not automatically – the government reviews the minimum wage each year and announces any change, typically effective from 1 April. Recent years have seen annual increases, but it is not guaranteed by law.
How is the starting-out wage different from the adult minimum wage?
The starting‑out wage is 80% of the adult rate ($18.52 vs $23.15 in 2025). It applies to workers aged 16–19 in their first six months with an employer, or 18–19 year‑olds who have been on a benefit for more than six months.
What is the training wage in New Zealand?
The training wage is the same rate as the starting‑out wage ($18.52 in 2025) and applies to employees aged 20 and over who are completing at least 60 credits a year of an approved industry training programme.
Is the Living Wage the same as the minimum wage in NZ?
No. The Living Wage is a voluntary benchmark set by the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand at $28.95/hour for 2025/26. It is not a legal requirement, unlike the minimum wage.
What happens if my employer pays me less than the minimum wage in NZ?
You can raise a personal grievance or contact the Employment Relations Authority. Employers who breach minimum wage laws can be ordered to pay arrears and penalties. The Employment New Zealand website provides guidance on how to make a complaint.
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