What is the current minimum wage in New Zealand?

The adult minimum wage in New Zealand is reviewed annually. Check the Employment New Zealand website for the current rate, which applies to employees aged 16 and over.

What is the difference between minimum wage and living wage in NZ?

The minimum wage is the legally required minimum hourly rate. The living wage is a higher, voluntarily adopted rate calculated to cover the basic costs of living for a household. The living wage is not legally mandated.

Minimum Wage Calculator

Calculate take-home pay for NZ wage benchmarks

Wage Type

Hours per week

Weeks per year

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Take-home pay

per year

Gross:

Effective rate:

Hourly rate:

Pay breakdown

Period	Gross	Take-home

Wage comparison

Wage type	Hourly	Gross/yr	Take-home/yr

Deductions breakdown

PAYE tax

ACC earners' levy

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PAYE Calculator Cost of Living Employer Cost

Wage rates are based on current official NZ figures. Take-home calculations include PAYE and ACC earners' levy. Actual pay may vary based on other deductions.

$23.95/hr (1 April 2026). $19.16/hr (1 April 2026). $19.16/hr (1 April 2026). $29.90/hr (1 September 2026). $35.96/hr ($1,419/week, June 2026). $44.62/hr ($1,730/week, June 2026).

NZ Wage Benchmarks

Compare take-home pay across NZ wage benchmarks. Select a wage type to see how much you'll actually receive after PAYE, ACC, and other deductions.

Minimum Wage — $23.95/hr (1 April 2026)

Starting-out Wage — $19.16/hr (1 April 2026)

Training Wage — $19.16/hr (1 April 2026)

Living Wage — $29.90/hr (1 September 2026)

Median Wage — $35.96/hr ($1,419/week, June 2026)

Average Wage — $44.62/hr ($1,730/week, June 2026)