Minimum Wages in New Zealand increased to 23.95 NZD/Hour in 2026 from 23.50 NZD/Hour in 2025. Minimum Wages in New Zealand averaged 16.50 NZD/Hour from 2006 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 23.95 NZD/Hour in 2026 and a record low of 10.25 NZD/Hour in 2006. source: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Minimum Wages in New Zealand is expected to reach 24.00 NZD/Hour by the end of 2026, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Gross Minimum Hourly Wage is projected to trend around 24.00 NZD/Hour in 2027 and 24.50 NZD/Hour in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 2886.00 2872.00 Thousand Dec 2025
Employment Change 0.50 0.00 percent Dec 2025
Employment Rate 66.70 66.60 percent Dec 2025
Full Time Employment 2299.00 2293.00 Thousand Dec 2025
Job Vacancies 138.60 160.30 index points Dec 2025
Participation Rate 70.50 70.30 percent Dec 2025
Labour Costs Index 1434.00 1427.00 points Sep 2025
Minimum Wages 23.95 23.50 NZD/Hour Apr 2026
Part Time Employment 586.00 581.00 Thousand Dec 2025
Population 5.34 5.31 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 1376.00 1385.00 points Dec 2024
Retirement Age Men 65.00 65.00 Years Dec 2025
Retirement Age Women 65.00 65.00 Years Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 165.00 161.00 Thousand Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 5.40 5.30 percent Dec 2025
Labour Costs Index YoY 2.00 2.10 percent Dec 2025
Wages 44.08 43.68 NZD/Hour Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 40.54 40.65 NZD/Hour Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 13.20 13.70 percent Dec 2025


New Zealand Gross Minimum Hourly Wage
In New Zealand, minimum wage refers to the lowest gross wage per hour and normally is increased every year. In 2014 54,600 New Zealanders workers were under the minimum wage.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
23.95 23.50 23.95 10.25 2006 - 2026 NZD/Hour Yearly