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salaries.co.nz Archived articles

Introducing the New Salaries.co.nz: 10 Free Salary Calculators for NZ

Launch announcement for the rebuilt salaries.co.nz. Covers the story behind the rebuild, a walkthrough of all 10 free calculators, what was removed (ads, clutter), and the commitment to keeping core tools free.

1 March 2026

How PAYE Tax Works in New Zealand: A Complete Guide

Core educational piece explaining how PAYE tax works in New Zealand. Covers tax brackets, deductions, tax codes, and common misconceptions with worked examples.

27 February 2026

NZ Tax Brackets 2025/2026: What You Pay at Every Income Level

Definitive reference for NZ income tax brackets in 2025/2026. Includes worked examples at multiple salary levels, effective vs marginal rate explanation, and links to special rate breakdown pages.

27 January 2026

Maximising Your KiwiSaver:

A Path to Financial Freedom in Retirement

3 December 2024

Tax Relief in Budget 2024

A Comprehensive Overview

30 May 2024

NZ's Living Wage Rate Set to Increase to $27.80 for 2024/25

Reflecting high inflation and wage growth over the previous year, the Living Wage will increase 6.9% on September 1, diverging from the smaller increase to the minimum wage that came into effect this month.

2 April 2024

How to Build Your Personal Brand as a Tech Professional

Embark on a journey to distinguish yourself in the dynamic world of technology with our comprehensive guide on building a powerful personal brand as a tech professional. Let's dive into the process of building a personal brand that opens doors to new opportunities and sets you apart in the ever-evolving tech landscape

16 February 2024

NZ Minimum Wage to Increase to $23.15 in April 2024

In a move to balance economic stability with worker support, New Zealand announces a modest minimum wage increase to $23.15 by April 2024. This strategy aims to alleviate financial strains without overburdening businesses, benefiting an estimated 80,000 to 145,000 workers. But with the backdrop of a softening labour market and BusinessNZ's call for depoliticising wage decisions, this policy navigates complex terrain. How does the government plan to maintain this delicate balance?

1 February 2024

Freelancing in NZ

Financial Tips for the Self-Employed

10 January 2024

Airbnb Hosting: The Lucrative Side-Hustle for Tough Economic Times

Many people are looking for innovative ways to supplement their income and regain financial stability. One opportunity that stands out is Airbnb hosting — a side-hustle that allows you to make the most of your extra space and turn it into a profitable source of additional earnings. Let's explore how you can leverage Airbnb hosting to earn extra income and navigate these challenging economic times with confidence.

21 May 2023

NZ Minimum Wage Increase Set to Impact Workers Nationwide

New Zealand is set to increase its minimum wage from April 2023, aiming to enhance fair pay and living conditions for low-income workers. The adjustment will raise the adult minimum wage by $1.50 to $22.70 per hour, in line with a 7.2% inflation rate. Additionally, the training minimum wage will increase by $1.20 to $18.16 per hour. Employers are urged to prepare for the change, ensuring compliance with the law. Industries like retail, with a high number of minimum wage earners, will be significantly impacted.

21 March 2023

Jobs In Demand

A summary of salaries and descriptions for some of NZ's Long-Term Skill Shortage List Occupations

16 October 2022

Minimum Wage Hits the $20 mark

New Rate: $20.00 from 1 April 2021

1 April 2021

Why Your Employer's Contributions Don't Match Your 3% Kiwisaver

To many employees it then comes as a shock to see their employer contributions consistently lower than expected on their kiwisaver statement. Why is that? There are two main reasons why the amounts received from your employer in your kiwisaver account don't match the amounts that have come from your salary contributions.

14 May 2019 · 0 comments

How equal has wage growth been over the last 10 years?

Minimum / Living / Median / Average Wage

10 May 2019 · 3 comments

Why the living wage should be regional

The Living Wage has an admirable purpose but there are some deficiencies in the way that the living wage currently works in NZ. Here we demonstrate why there should be consideration for regional differences in the cost of living.

10 May 2019 · 0 comments

Say Hello to 6% and 10% Kiwisaver

New Kiwisaver Contribution Rates Added

9 May 2019

Why Teachers Deserve a Better Deal

Teacher pay is a hot topic in 2019, with the threat of strikes in primary and secondary education. Teachers have been offered higher pay, but is it enough?

27 April 2019 · 2 comments

Minimum Wage Boosted 7.3% in 2019

New Rate: $17.70 from 1 April 2019

1 April 2019

Employees to save 17% on ACC levies from 1 April 2014

Earners' levy rates are dropping to $1.45 per $100 of liable earnings from 1 April 2014. The Earners' levy income cap is also being adjusted.

30 March 2014

How to get a pay rise - a few simple steps

In order to ensure success it's important to do some research and to prepare your case for a pay rise in advance. Read this guide to improve your chances of getting a well-earned pay rise.

15 December 2012

Minimum wage rises to $13.50/hour on 1 April 2012

New Zealand's minimum wage increases 3.85% to $13.50 per hour from the 1st of April 2012. That's an extra $17.93 per week cash-in-hand for someone working a standard 40 hour week.

30 March 2012

ACC earners' levy reduces to 1.7% on 1 April 2012

NZ Salary and wage earners will receive more net pay from the 1st of April as the ACC earners' levy drops to 1.70% from 2.04%.

30 March 2012 · 2 comments

Tax changes set to hit KiwiSaver on 1 April 2012

Removal of the employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT) exemption on 1 April 2012 will mean less cash in your KiwiSaver account.

26 March 2012

Average earnings increase more than 2% over the year to December 2011

NZ Average weekly earnings increase 2.6% year on year in December 2011, with private sector earnings growing faster than public sector earnings.

26 February 2012

Salaries nudge up just 1.3% over the year to September 2010

Average earnings continue to increase slowly after stalling earlier in the year.

5 November 2010

Salaries edge up in June - back to September 2009 levels

Statistics New Zealand have released figures showing that average earnings have crawled higher over the last three months.

5 August 2010

Effective tax rates in NZ, Aus and the UK

How do New Zealand's income tax rates stack up against those of countries our young emmigrees flock to? Here's a comparison of headline income tax rates in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

21 May 2010 · 1 comment

Lower Income tax rates in 2010 Budget

The 2010 Budget has delivered substantial income tax rate cuts across the board, including a drop in the top tax rate to 33%. Changes come into effect as of 1 October 2010.

20 May 2010

1.1% drop in unemployment - are salaries set to improve?

Despite statistics showing that wage growth has stalled, a surprise drop in the unemployment rate gives fuel to suggest that jobs and salaries may be on the way up.

6 May 2010

Average wages in 2010 are going nowhere

Figures released by Statistics New Zealand this week show that average hourly earnings over the last few months have remained stubornly statice.

4 May 2010 · 13 comments

Expect a lower salary payment in April

The Government's ACC levy increases are set to kick in for workers and employers from 1 April 2010. The last couple of years have seen relatively big increases in ACC premiums.

27 March 2010

Minimum wage to increase $0.25c

After much speculation and debate the Government has announced a small increase in the minimum wage, to come into effect as of 1 April 2010.

30 January 2010 · 5 comments

A Tax System for New Zealand's Future - TWG Report - Jan 2010

A summary of the Tax Working Group's (TWG) NZ tax reform recommendations, from the point of view of a New Zealand wage and salary earners

20 January 2010 · 8 comments

ACC levies to increase in April 2010

ACC levies will increase next year in order to compensate for a 57% increase in ACC claims over the last four years

12 December 2009

Raising NZ Incomes - 2025 Taskforce, First Report

In order to catch the essence of the 2025 Taskforce recommendations from the point of view of a NZ salary or wage earner we've included a selective summary of the key points here.

30 November 2009

Calculate your tax and kiwisaver payments

Eyeing up a new job and want to know how much cash you'll be left with after paying taxes? Just enter your gross annual salary into the box and click Calculate - then we'll present you with an overview of your tax and net salary.

9 November 2009 · 68 comments

Hays 2009 Salary Survey

The Hays 2009 Salary Survey shows some big changes in sentiment amongst employers, with 2009 salary increases tipped to be mute.

5 June 2009

Employment drops but wages up

Statistics New Zealand's Quarterly Employment Survey shows a clear drop in employment over the past year, but so far wages are continuing to increase.

5 May 2009

Average Earnings from wages and salaries 2003-2008

Based on information from Statistics New Zealand, the growth in average earnings from wages and salaries in the period 2003 to 2008 was higher than during the 5 year period to 2006.

23 February 2009

New tax rates as of 1 April 2009

Changes to personal tax rates and income thresholds are coming into effect as of the tax year beginning 1 April 2009.

3 January 2009

New tax rates as of 1 October 2008

A new set of personal tax rates are to be introduced as of 1 October 2008, along with increases in the tax bands from April 2010 and April 2011.

13 July 2008

2008 Hays Salary Survey

Hays have released their 2008 Salary Survey for New Zealand and Australia, with salaries continuing to show strong growth in general.

3 June 2008

Tax Rates on New Zealand salaries

Base tax rates on income for New Zealand residents is currently as follows...

25 February 2008 · 2 comments

Average Earnings from wages and salaries 2001-2006

Statistics New Zealand report that Average Earnings from wages and salaries in New Zealand were as follows.

14 February 2008