NZ Minimum Wage Calculator
This calculator turns the New Zealand minimum wage into an actual take-home pay figure, so you can see what really lands in your bank account each week. Choose the adult minimum ($23.95/hr from 1 April 2026), the starting-out or training rate ($19.16/hr), the voluntary Living Wage ($29.90/hr), or a custom hourly rate, then set your hours per week, KiwiSaver contribution rate, student loan status, and tax code. The tool then works out PAYE, the ACC earners' levy (1.75%), KiwiSaver, and student loan repayments automatically. Results show your hourly rate, weekly take-home, fortnightly pay, and annual take-home, backed by a full weekly and annual breakdown of gross pay, each deduction, your effective tax rate, and the employer KiwiSaver contribution added on top of your wage. A comparison table lines up the starting-out, adult minimum, and Living Wage rates side by side at 40 hours a week so you can see the gap in net pay between them. Use it to budget on minimum wage, check what a pay rise or extra hours would add to your pocket, or compare offers at different rates. These are indicative estimates based on standard M tax code PAYE rules; your actual take-home may differ slightly depending on your tax code, other income, or IETC eligibility.
1. Wage Rate
2. Deductions
Weekly Breakdown
Annual Summary
Comparison at 40 Hours/Week
| Rate | Hourly | Gross Weekly | Net Weekly | Net Annual | vs Adult Min |
|---|
Minimum Wage Rates from 1 April 2026
| Rate Type | Hourly | Weekly (40 hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult minimum wage | $23.95 | $958.00 | $49,816 |
| Starting-out / training | $19.16 | $766.40 | $39,853 |
| Living Wage (voluntary) | $29.90 | $1,196.00 | $62,192 |
The adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over not on the starting-out or training rate. It applies to every hour worked including training, trials, and inductions.
PAYE Tax Brackets (2026/27 Tax Year)
| Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $15,600 | 10.50% |
| $15,601 to $53,500 | 17.50% |
| $53,501 to $78,100 | 30.00% |
| $78,101 to $180,000 | 33.00% |
| $180,001+ | 39.00% |
Unchanged from 2025/26. Introduced in Budget 2024 and fully effective from 1 April 2025.
KiwiSaver: 3.5% Default from April 2026
The default KiwiSaver contribution rate increased from 3% to 3.5% on 1 April 2026 for both employees and employers. At the adult minimum wage (40 hours), the employer contribution adds $1,744 per year to your retirement savings on top of your salary. You can apply to IRD via myIR for a temporary reduction back to 3% (no hardship test, lasts 3-12 months). The default will rise to 4% from 1 April 2028.
ACC Earners Levy (2026/27)
The ACC earners levy is $1.52 per $100 of liable earnings (excluding GST), which equals $1.75 per $100 including GST (1.75%). It is capped at maximum liable earnings of $156,641 and is automatically deducted as part of PAYE.
Student Loan Repayments
If you have a student loan, 12% is deducted on income above the annual threshold of $24,128 ($464/week). At the adult minimum wage ($49,816/year), this means approximately $3,083 per year, or about $59 per week.
Related Calculators
- PAYE and Salary Calculator
- Hourly to Salary Converter
- Take Home Pay Calculator
- KiwiSaver Retirement Calculator
- Working for Families Calculator
- Reading Your Employment Agreement
- Recovering Unpaid Wages
- Rest and Meal Breaks at Work
- Youth and Starting-Out Wages
Sources: Employment New Zealand minimum wage (employment.govt.nz). IRD tax rates for individuals (ird.govt.nz). Accident Compensation (Earners' Levy) Regulations 2025 (legislation.govt.nz). KiwiSaver Act 2006 as amended. Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ.
This calculator provides indicative estimates using standard M tax code PAYE rules. Actual take-home may vary by tax code, secondary income, and IETC eligibility. Use IRD's PAYE calculator for definitive payroll figures.