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.
Official figures
- 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
Official sources
- 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
Read the full guide: Minimum wage and employment agreements →
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Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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