Current NZ minimum wage rates (from 1 April 2025)
There are three statutory rates:
| Rate | Per hour | 40-hour week | Annual (52 wk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $23.50 | $940.00 | $48,880 |
| Starting-out | $18.80 | $752.00 | $39,104 |
| Training | $18.80 | $752.00 | $39,104 |
Who gets which rate
- Adult rate: the default for employees aged 16 and over who are not on a starting-out or training rate.
- Starting-out rate: 16–17 year olds in their first six months with a new employer; 18–19 year olds who have been on a benefit for six months and have not yet completed six months continuous work; and 16–19 year olds in a training role requiring at least 40 credits a year.
- Training rate: employees aged 20+ doing recognised industry training of at least 60 credits a year.
- There is no minimum wage for under-16s, but all other rights (breaks, holidays, a written agreement) still apply.
Minimum wage vs the living wage
The minimum wage is the legal floor every employer must pay. The "living wage" is a separate, voluntary figure published each year by the NZ Living Wage Movement — it estimates what a worker needs to cover basic costs and participate in society. For 2025/26 the living wage is $28.95 an hour, well above the $23.50 minimum.
Employers can choose to become accredited living-wage employers, but there is no legal requirement to pay it. The minimum wage is what the law enforces.
Pay above the minimum still has rules
Meeting the minimum hourly rate is not the whole picture. Employees are also entitled to at least 4 weeks annual leave, paid public holidays (time-and-a-half plus an alternative day if worked), sick leave, and rest and meal breaks. Salaried staff must still earn at least the minimum wage for every hour actually worked — if long hours drag an annual salary below the minimum on a per-hour basis, the employer is in breach.