The current minimum wage in New Zealand is 23.50 NZD per hour, rising to 23.95 NZD per hour from 1 April 2026, with lower “starting-out” and “training” rates.

Current minimum wage in NZ

  • Adult minimum wage (standard rate) :
    • 23.50 NZD per hour up to 31 March 2026.
* In weekly terms (40 hours): about 940 NZD before tax at the current 23.50 rate.
  • From 1 April 2026 :
    • Adult minimum wage increases to 23.95 NZD per hour (up 0.45 NZD).
* A full‑time 40‑hour worker will earn about 18 NZD more per week than at 23.50 NZD, or roughly 936 NZD more per year before tax.
  • Starting‑out and training minimum wages :
    • 18.80 NZD per hour from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 (80% of the adult rate).
* 19.16 NZD per hour from 1 April 2026, staying at 80% of the adult rate.

At a glance (NZ minimum wage rates)

[1][2][7] [7] [9][5][3] [3] [2][3][7] [7] [5][1][3] [7]
Type Period Hourly rate (NZD) Approx. 40‑hour week
Adult minimum wage 1 Apr 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 23.50 940.00 before tax
Adult minimum wage From 1 Apr 2026 23.95 ≈958.00 before tax (about 18 NZD more per week)
Starting‑out & training 1 Apr 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 18.80 752.00 before tax
Starting‑out & training From 1 Apr 2026 19.16 ≈766.40 before tax

Quick “real life” example

If you’re on the adult minimum wage and work 37.5 hours a week:

  • At 23.50 NZD/h, your gross weekly pay is about 881 NZD.
  • After 1 April 2026 at 23.95 NZD/h, that becomes about 898 NZD, so roughly 17 NZD more per week before tax.

Employers are legally required to pay at least these minimums for every hour worked and keep proper records of hours and pay.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.