Opposition Unimpressed with 'Measly' Minimum Wage Rise

Opposition unimpressed with 'measly' minimum wage rise

The increase was to keep up with the cost of living, the Workplace Relations and Safety Minister said. File photo: Getty Images By Susan Edmunds of RNZ

Minimum wage workers to get pay increase next year

Minimum wage workers will get a pay increase from 1 April, but its less than the current rate of inflation.

Minimum wage to rise 2% from April 2026

Minimum wage workers will receive a 2 percent pay rise from 1 April, lifting the adult minimum wage from $23.50 to $23.95 an hour, an increase that remains below current inflation. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the change would benefit about 122,500 workers and was designed to balance cost-of-living pressures with the need to avoid further strain on businesses. The increase follows advice from the Ministry of Bus…

Minimum wage increase coming in 2026

The adult minimum wage rate in New Zealand will increase by 2% to $23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced. This increase reflects the Government’s agreement to moderate increases to the minimum wage each year as part of the NZ First-National coalition commitment. Hon Brooke van Velden “This new rate will benefit around 122,500 working New Zealanders and strikes a balance between keepi…

Minimum wage increase balances business and worker needs

The adult minimum wage rate will increase by 2 per cent to $23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today.  This increase reflects the Government’s agreement to moderate increases to the minimum wage each year as part of the NZ First-National coalition commitment.  “This new rate will benefit around 122,500 working New Zealanders and strikes a balance between keeping up with the cost o…