Minimum wage in New Zealand

A statutory national minimum wage

New Zealand has a statutory minimum wage, set each year by the Government by an order. There are separate lower rates for new entrants and trainees.

Headline figure (from 1 April 2026)

23.95 NZD per hour

The adult minimum wage; the starting-out and training rate is 19.16 NZD per hour.

Roughly US$2,325 a month for a full-time worker, at exchange rates of 2026-10-09. This is a rough comparison only and does not show buying power.

Checked October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Check the date. Minimum wages change, in many countries every year. The figure above is the one in force at the date shown. Confirm the current amount with the official source below before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal or employment advice.

Who sets it

The Government sets the adult minimum wage and the other rates in an annual Minimum Wage Order, after advice from the responsible ministry.

How it changes

The order is reviewed every year and the new rates normally take effect on 1 April.

Who is covered, and who is treated differently

A lower starting-out and training rate applies for a limited period to new workers and trainees.
Rates are stated per hour, with set equivalents for a day, a week and a fortnight.

What to watch for

The rates are before tax. Work visa rules can also set a wage level.

Understand the legal system first

New Zealand belongs to the Common law family. How pay is regulated depends on how the legal system makes and applies labour law.

Read the New Zealand legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare New Zealand with another country →

Official sources

Employment New Zealand: minimum wage increase from 1 April 2026

Take it further

Employment Offer Letter template $5
A clear offer of work, pay and terms.
Independent Contractor Agreement template $5
Put freelance work and payment in writing.
Labor and Employment Law course $15
Wages, hours, contracts and dismissal.

Support this free tool

This guide is free, and it takes a lot of careful work to build and keep up to date. If it helped you, you can leave a small contribution. No account is needed, and nothing is sold to you.

A one-time card payment through Stripe. It is a contribution, not a purchase, and it is not tax-deductible.

TheLawToKnow Tools’s Minimum Wage by Country guide is an educational overview. It is not legal or employment advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.