As of April 1, 2025, the New Zealand minimum wage is $23.50 per hour for adult employees, while the starting-out and training minimum wage is $18.80 per hour. The median wage, used for some visa applications, is $31.61 per hour. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown: 

Minimum Wage:

• Adult Minimum Wage: $23.50 per hour
• Starting-out and Training Minimum Wage: $18.80 per hour
  8-hour day: $185.20 for adult minimum wage, $148.16 for starting-out and training 

• Median Wage:

Current Median

• Wage: $31.61 per hour 

• Used for: Certain visa applications, including the Skilled Migrant Category and Parent Category 

• AEWV: Employers recruiting workers under the AEWV and seasonal SPWV policies will no longer be required to pay the median wage, instead, they will be expected to pay migrant workers on par with their New Zealand counterparts (the New Zealand market rate) 


Other Relevant Points:

Minimum Wage Increase: 


The minimum wage increased from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour on April 1, 2025. 






Starting-out and Training Minimum Wage Increase: 


The starting-out and training minimum wage increased from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour on April 1, 2025. 







Sector Agreements:


Sector Agreements which provided an exemption to the median wage will be removed. 





Migrant Workers: 
Migrant workers will need to be paid at least market rate for a role and at least minimum wage ($23.50 per hour from 1 April 2025). 






Living Wage: 


The 2024/25 New Zealand Living Wage rate is $27.80 per hour. 

(Source Business Govt NZ)