Reference
Last updated: May 2026
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 Pay| Effective date | Living Wage rate |
|---|---|
| From 1 September 2025 | $28.95 per hour |
| From 1 September 2026 | $29.90 per hour |
| 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.
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