Minimum Wage in New Zealand

The adult minimum wage is $23.95 an hour before tax from 1 April 2026, up 45 cents from $23.50.

An hour NZ$23.95

A week NZ$958

A month NZ$4,151.33 ≈ $2,364

A year NZ$49,816

Adult minimum wage, since 1 April 2026. The legal rate is set an hour (highlighted); the others assume 40 hours a week. All amounts are before tax.

Minimum wage calculator for New Zealand

Change the hours to see what the minimum pays for part-time work or overtime, or enter your own hourly pay.

Pay an hour (NZD) Hours a week

A week: NZ$958
A month: NZ$4,151.33
A year: NZ$49,816

Months are 52 weeks ÷ 12. Paid holidays, overtime premiums and extra monthly payments are not included.

Who is covered

National minimum

Employees aged 16 or over are covered. The starting-out and training minimum wages are $19.16 an hour (80% of the adult rate) for some 16- to 19-year-olds and for trainees.

Next change

The government reviews the rate every year, with any change usually from 1 April.

Checked 23 October 2026 against labour ministries, official gazettes and recent reporting. Your own minimum can depend on your age, sector, region or contract, so check with the labour authority or your union. This is a summary, not legal advice. Sources: Employment New Zealand: Minimum wage rates.

Salary calculator

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Working days in New Zealand

Business days and hours by month this year.

Currency converter

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