Minimum wage and employment agreements

Employment New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment – MBIE)Verified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

If you are an employee aged 16 or over and work in New Zealand, you must get at least the minimum wage for every hour you work. From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is NZ$23.95 an hour (before tax). Every employee must have a written employment agreement. A 90-day trial period is only valid if it is written into the agreement and you signed the agreement before you started work.

Key facts

Adult minimum wage: NZ$23.95 an hour (before tax), or NZ$958 for a 40-hour week; applies from 1 April 2026¹
Starting-out and training minimum wage: NZ$19.16 an hour (before tax), or NZ$766.40 for a 40-hour week¹
Who can be paid the starting-out wage: Workers aged 16 or 17 who have worked for their current employer for less than 6 months in a row; or workers aged 16 to 19 whose employment agreement requires them to complete at least 40 credits of industry training a year; or workers aged 18 or 19 who have received a specified benefit for 6 months or more in a row (and have not worked for the same employer for 6 months in a row since starting the benefit)¹
Who can be paid the training wage: Workers aged 20 or over whose employment agreement requires them to complete at least 60 credits of industry training a year (usually apprentices)¹
Who is not covered by the minimum wage: There is no minimum wage for workers under 16. There are also a few other exceptions, such as prisoners and disabled workers with an exemption permit¹
Written employment agreement: Every employee must have one. An employer who does not provide one can be given a NZ$1,000 infringement fee. The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) can also order a penalty of up to NZ$10,000 for an individual employer and up to NZ$20,000 for a company²
Time limits for raising a complaint (must be stated in the agreement): Most personal grievances must be raised within 90 days; sexual harassment grievances within 12 months²
Trial period limit: No more than 90 calendar days. It can only be used for new employees who have not worked for that employer before, and it must be at the very start of the job³
Keeping wage, time and leave records: Employers must keep them for 6 years (including after the employee has left)⁴
Payslips: The law does not require a payslip unless your employment agreement says you will get one. If you don't get payslips, you can ask your employer for your wages and time records and your holiday and leave records⁵

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

The minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 or over who work in New Zealand, including migrant workers on temporary visas.
If your employment agreement sets a pay rate higher than the minimum wage, your employer must pay you the rate in the agreement.
If your job includes supervising or training other employees, you cannot be paid the starting-out or training wage. You must get at least the adult minimum wage.
If you are paid by piece rates or a salary, your pay must still work out to at least the minimum wage for each hour you actually work.
Migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): Immigration New Zealand does not allow employers to give them a trial period.
The minimum wage and the other rules on this page are for employees. If you signed a contractor agreement, different rules apply. If you are not sure which you are, read Employment New Zealand's 'Employee or contractor?' guidance or call them.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Read your agreement before you start
Your employer must give you a written employment agreement. At a minimum it must state: both parties' names, what the job involves, where you will work, the agreed hours, your pay and how you will be paid, how employment problems will be resolved (including the 90-day time limit for raising a personal grievance), and that you will get at least time-and-a-half (1.5 times your pay) for working on a public holiday. Ask about anything you don't understand. You can also get professional advice.
Check if there is a trial period
A 90-day trial period is optional. Not every job has one. To be valid, both you and your employer must agree to it before you start, it must be written in the agreement, and you must have signed the agreement before starting work. If you signed after you started work, the trial period is not valid. During a trial period you must still be paid, and you have the same other rights as any other employee.
Check your hourly rate
If you are paid by the hour, check that the hourly rate on your payslip is not lower than the minimum wage. If you are on a salary, divide your total pay for one pay period (before tax) by the hours you actually worked to get a rough hourly rate. Every hour of overtime must also be paid at least the minimum wage. Your employer's KiwiSaver contributions must be paid on top and cannot count towards the minimum wage.
Keep your own records
Write down your start and finish times every day. Keep your agreement, payslips and bank deposit records. If your employer does not give you payslips, you can ask to see your wages and time records and your holiday and leave records.
What to do if you are underpaid
First, talk to your employer. If that doesn't fix it, call Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20 or report it online. For detailed steps, see our guide on work disputes and unpaid wages.

What documents do I need?

Your written employment agreement: read it carefully before signing, and keep a copy
Payslips or bank deposit records
Your own record of the dates and hours you worked each day

What should I watch out for?

The minimum wage is reviewed every year and usually changes on 1 April. The 2027 rates will only be known when the Government announces them, so check the Employment New Zealand website.
Starting-out workers aged 16 or 17 must be moved to the adult minimum wage once they have worked for the same employer for 6 months in a row. If you change to a new employer, the starting-out wage can apply again for the first 6 months.
On-the-job training does not qualify you for the training wage. The training wage only applies if you are enrolled in recognised industry training (at least 60 credits a year).
If you are dismissed during a trial period, you usually cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal. But you can still raise one if your employer did not give the notice set out in your agreement, you started work before signing the agreement, you did not have the chance to get advice before signing, or the agreement did not include a trial period at all.
A trial period is not the same as a probationary period. A probationary period can be any length, and the dismissal rules are different from a trial period.
Not giving a written agreement and not keeping wage records are both against the law. A Labour Inspector can issue an infringement notice.
Migrant workers on temporary visas have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealand workers, including the minimum wage. Being asked to pay money to get a job, or to pay back part of your wages, is exploitation and you can report it.
This page is a plain-English summary of public information. It is not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, check the official Employment New Zealand website or call 0800 20 90 20.

What has changed recently?

2026-04-01
Minimum wage increase: the adult minimum wage went up from NZ$23.50 to NZ$23.95 an hour. The starting-out and training minimum wages went up from NZ$18.80 to NZ$19.16. All amounts are before tax.Source: employment.govt.nz ↗
2025-03-30
Employers must keep a copy of each employee's employment agreement and be able to produce it. If an employee asks for a copy, the employer must provide it within 7 working days.Source: employment.govt.nz ↗

Common questions

What is the minimum wage in New Zealand right now?

From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is NZ$23.95 an hour before tax. That is NZ$958 for a 40-hour week. The starting-out and training minimum wage is NZ$19.16 an hour before tax, or NZ$766.40 for a 40-hour week. These rates apply to employees aged 16 or over who work in New Zealand.

My employer pays me NZ$20 an hour. Is that legal?

Not if you should get the adult minimum wage. NZ$20 is below the adult rate of NZ$23.95 an hour. It is only allowed if you qualify for the starting-out or training wage of NZ$19.16 an hour. If you think you are underpaid, talk to your employer first. If that does not fix it, call Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20 or report it online.

I'm 17 and my employer says I only get the starting-out wage. Is that right?

It can be right, if you have worked for your current employer for less than 6 months in a row. After 6 months in a row, you must be moved to the adult minimum wage of NZ$23.95 an hour. If your job includes supervising or training other employees, you must get at least the adult minimum wage. Workers aged 16 to 19 whose agreement requires at least 40 credits of industry training a year can also get the starting-out wage.

My employer told me to start work before signing a contract. Is that allowed?

Your employer must give you a written employment agreement. If you start work before you sign it, any 90-day trial period in it is not valid. Read the agreement before you start and ask about anything you don't understand. An employer who does not provide a written agreement can be given a NZ$1,000 infringement fee.

Can I complain if I was dismissed during a 90-day trial period?

Usually you cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal during a valid trial period. But you can still raise one if your employer did not give the notice in your agreement, or you started work before signing. You also can if you had no chance to get advice before signing, or the agreement had no trial period. Most personal grievances must be raised within 90 days. Call Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20 for help.

I'm on an AEWV work visa. Can my employer give me a 90-day trial period?

No. Immigration New Zealand does not allow employers to give a trial period to migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). You also have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealand workers, including the minimum wage. For your own situation, check with Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20.

My employer doesn't give me payslips. How can I check my hours and pay records?

You can ask your employer for your wages and time records and your holiday and leave records. The law does not require a payslip unless your employment agreement says you will get one. Employers must keep these records for 6 years, even after you leave. Also write down your start and finish times every day, and keep your bank deposit records.

When does the minimum wage go up? Will it increase in 2027?

The minimum wage is reviewed every year and usually changes on 1 April. The 2027 rates will only be known when the Government announces them. Check the Employment New Zealand website for the latest rates. The last increase took the adult minimum wage from NZ$23.50 to NZ$23.95 an hour.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Minimum wage rates and typesEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
Creating an employment agreementEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
Trial periodsEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
Record-keepingEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
PayslipsEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz

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The AI answers using this guide and official New Zealand government websites.

Annual leave, sick leave and public holidays

The Holidays Act 2003 sets the minimum leave for employees in New Zealand. After 12 months of continuous work for the same employer, you get at least 4 weeks of paid annual leave. After 6 months, you get 10 days of paid sick leave each year. If a public holiday falls on a day you would normally work, you get the day off with pay. If you work that day, you get at least time and a half, plus an extra day off. A new Employment Leave Act will not take effect until 6 August 2028. Until then, the current rules still apply.

KiwiSaver retirement savings

KiwiSaver is New Zealand's voluntary, work-based retirement savings scheme. You save part of your pay before tax, and your employer and the government also add money to your account. You usually cannot take the money out until you are 65. You can take it out earlier in some cases, such as buying your first home. From 1 April 2026, the default contribution rate went up from 3% to 3.5%.

Lost your job? Jobseeker Support explained

Jobseeker Support is a weekly payment from Work and Income. It helps people who are looking for work, or who cannot work for now because of a health condition. You usually need to be 18 or older and a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder. You must also have lived in New Zealand for at least 2 years in a row since becoming a citizen or getting residence. You can apply online through MyMSD. While you receive the payment, you must meet obligations such as looking for work. You need to reapply every 26 weeks.

Starting a business: sole trader, company and GST registration

The most common ways to run your own business in New Zealand are as a sole trader or through a company. Sole traders do not need to register with a government agency. You just tell Inland Revenue. To start a company, you register online with the Companies Office and pay a fee. You must register for GST once your turnover reaches NZ$60,000. If your end-of-year tax bill from your last return was more than NZ$5,000, you must also pay provisional tax in instalments.

Tax codes and your end-of-year tax refund or bill

If you get wages, a benefit or a pension in New Zealand, you must tell the payer your tax code on an IR330 form. The payer uses this code to take tax from each payment. If you choose the wrong code, you may have to pay more tax at the end of the year, or you may get a refund. The tax year ends on 31 March. If tax has already been taken from all your income, Inland Revenue (IRD) works out your tax for you and sends you an income tax assessment. If you have income that has not been taxed, you must file an IR3 return yourself.

Work disputes and unpaid wages

If you have a problem with your employer, were dismissed unfairly, or are owed wages, talk to your employer first. Then use the free official services: Employment New Zealand's Early Resolution service and free MBIE mediation. To raise a personal grievance, you usually must tell your employer in writing within 90 days. If you cannot agree, you can apply to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) for a decision. You can report problems with minimum wage, holiday pay and similar issues to the Labour Inspectorate. Migrant workers who are being exploited can call 0800 200 088.