Minimum wage in New Zealand 2026: NZD 23.95 an hour
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New Zealand's adult minimum wage is NZD 23.95 an hour from April 1, 2026, set by the Minister for Workplace Relations in the annual Minimum Wage Order and announced by MBIE (checked October 18, 2026). That is about $13.56 an hour at the European Central Bank cross rate for October 16, 2026, and the starting-out and training rates are NZD 19.16. An employer adds a KiwiSaver contribution for members, 3.5% from April 1, 2026 according to payroll firm Markhams (a secondary source we could not confirm on ird.govt.nz), or NZD 1,743.56 a year on a 40-hour week, plus an ACC work levy that depends on the industry.
New Zealand's minimum wage is a national hourly floor set each year by Minimum Wage Order under the Minimum Wage Act 1983, with an adult rate and lower starting-out and training rates.
- Minimum wage
- NZD 23.95an hour
- In US dollars
- about $13.56an hour
- In force since
- April 1, 2026
- Next change
- None announced
On this page
Adult, starting-out and training rates
The adult rate of NZD 23.95 applies to employees aged 16 and over who are not on the starting-out or training rate. The starting-out rate covers 16 to 19 year olds who meet set conditions, and there is a separate training rate; both are 80% of the adult rate, NZD 19.16 an hour. The rate is the same in Auckland, Wellington and the rest of the country.
Other minimum wage rates in New Zealand
| Rate | Amount | In USD | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting-out minimum wage (80% of adult rate) | NZD 19.16 an hour | about $10.85 | April 1, 2026 | source |
| Training minimum wage (80% of adult rate) | NZD 19.16 an hour | about $10.85 | April 1, 2026 | source |
US dollar figures use exchange rates from the European Central Bank (Oct 16, 2026) and the US Treasury (quarter ended Sep 30, 2026), and move with the exchange rate.
New Zealand minimum wage history
| Year | Minimum wage |
|---|---|
| 2022 | NZD 21.20 an hour |
| 2023 | NZD 22.70 an hour |
| 2024 | NZD 23.15 an hour |
| 2025 | NZD 23.50 an hour |
| 2026 | NZD 23.95 an hour |
From the official sources listed at the end of this page.
Weekly, monthly and yearly pay at NZD 23.95
The Minimum Wage Order sets hourly, daily (8 hours) and weekly (40 hours) amounts: NZD 23.95, NZD 191.60 and NZD 958.00. New Zealand has no statutory standard week, but 40 hours is the basis the Order uses. On that basis:
- Monthly: 958.00 x 52 / 12 = NZD 4,151.33 (about $2,351).
- Yearly: 958.00 x 52 = NZD 49,816 (about $28,215).
For part-time staff, multiply the hourly rate by actual hours. Pay levels above the minimum are on the New Zealand average salary page.
The 2026 rise and the next review
The 2026 increase was 45 cents, from NZD 23.50 to NZD 23.95, about 1.9%. Each year MBIE reviews the rate and the Minister sets the new figure by Order, effective April 1. No rate for April 1, 2027 had been announced as of October 18, 2026, so budget for a change on that date and check MBIE early in the new year.
KiwiSaver, ACC and other employer costs
New Zealand has no social security tax on employers. The main add-on is the compulsory KiwiSaver employer contribution, which rose to 3.5% of gross pay on April 1, 2026 (from 3%) for employees who are members, according to Markhams, a payroll firm (secondary; not confirmed on ird.govt.nz). On NZD 49,816 that is 49,816 x 3.5% = NZD 1,743.56 a year (about $988). Employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT) is deducted from that contribution, not added on top; for a worker at this pay level it falls in the 17.5% band (NZD 18,721 to NZD 64,200), per the same Markhams summary.
The employer also pays an ACC work levy set by industry classification, which we have not checked, while the ACC earners' levy comes out of the employee's pay. Leave and parental rules are on the New Zealand parental leave page.
Hiring in New Zealand from the US
An employer of record can hire on a New Zealand employment agreement, run PAYE and enroll staff in KiwiSaver. EOR price lists we checked in October 2026 show $99 to $699 per employee per month. Remote lists EOR from $599 with no base fee, roughly a quarter of the dollar value of a full-time minimum-wage month. See the New Zealand employer of record guide, our EOR rankings and the international cost calculator, or compare Australia and the employer cost index.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in New Zealand in 2026?
What is the New Zealand minimum wage per week?
What is the starting-out wage in New Zealand?
When will the New Zealand minimum wage change next?
What does an employer pay on top of the minimum wage in New Zealand?
Sources (9)
- Markhams (secondary): 1 April 2026 payroll changes (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- European Central Bank: Euro foreign exchange reference rates (rates for Oct 16, 2026)
- Remote: Remote pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Oyster: Oyster pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Payoneer WFM (formerly Skuad): Skuad pricing (checked Oct 16, 2026)
- Native Teams: Pricing (checked Oct 18, 2026)
- MBIE, Minimum wage set for 2026: MBIE, Minimum wage set for 2026 (checked October 18, 2026)
- Stats NZ, Labour market statistics: June 2026 quarter: Stats NZ, Labour market statistics: June 2026 quarter (checked October 18, 2026)
- Mirage News republication of the Stats NZ June 2026 quarter release (used only to read the figure): Mirage News republication of the Stats NZ June 2026 quarter release (used only to read the figure) (checked October 18, 2026)
This page is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rules and rates change, so check the official source linked above before you file or sign a contract. Read our disclaimer.