Minimum wage set for 2026

Published: 12 December 2025

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The adult minimum wage will rise to $23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026.

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The Workplace Relations and Safety Minister has announced that the adult minimum wage will be rising

to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026. This is an increase of 45 cents per hour from the current hourly rate of $23.50.

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The training and starting-out minimum wages will also both increase to $19.16 per hour, remaining at 80%

of the adult minimum wage. This is a rise from the current minimum rate of $18.80 per hour.

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An employee working 40 hours per week on the adult minimum wage will earn an extra $18 per week or

$936 per annum (before tax) compared to the current minimum wage.

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Around 122,500 New Zealand workers currently earning below the new minimum wage rates should get an

increase in their pay packets as a result of the change in the minimum wage.

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Read the Minister’s announcement here: