Reference
NZ Living Wage 2026
Quick answer
The New Zealand Living Wage is $28.95 an hour, rising to $29.90 from 1 September 2026. That is well above the $23.95 minimum wage. The Living Wage is voluntary and set by the Living Wage Movement; the minimum wage is set by government and legally enforced. The full history is below.
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$28.95
Current Rate (from 1 Sep 2025)
$29.90
New Rate (from 1 Sep 2026)
$23.95
Minimum Wage (for comparison)
The Living Wage is an hourly rate calculated to reflect what a worker needs to pay for the necessities of life and participate in society. It is voluntary, set independently of the government by the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand, and sits above the legal minimum wage. More than 340 accredited Living Wage Employers pay it.
Minimum Wage Calculator PAYE Calculator Take Home PayCurrent and Upcoming Rates
| Effective date | Living Wage rate |
|---|---|
| From 1 September 2025 | $28.95 per hour |
| From 1 September 2026 | $29.90 per hour |
Source: Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand. The 2026/27 rate of $29.90 was announced for accredited employers to implement by 1 September 2026.
Living Wage vs Minimum Wage
| Living Wage | Minimum Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Current rate | $28.95 (to $29.90 from Sep 2026) | $23.95 |
| Set by | Living Wage Movement (independent) | Government (MBIE) |
| Compulsory? | No, voluntary for accredited employers | Yes, legally enforced |
| Based on | Cost of meeting basic needs for a family | Government policy and economic balance |
| Updated | Annually, effective 1 September | Annually, effective 1 April |
The gap between the Living Wage and the minimum wage is currently around $5 an hour. The Living Wage is reviewed each year and announced in April, with employers given until 1 September to implement the new rate. The 2026 increase of $1.15 was broadly in line with growth in average ordinary time hourly earnings.
Source: Living Wage Movement Aotearoa. See also our NZ Minimum Wage reference.
Cite this page
NZ Living Wage 2026. Calculate.co.nz. https://www.calculate.co.nz/reference/nz-living-wage.php (retrieved 31 August 2026).
Figures are compiled from the official sources listed above and reviewed twice monthly.