New Zealand will increase its adult minimum wage from April 1, 2026, lifting hourly pay for workers nationwide following the government’s annual minimum wage review.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment announced the decision, saying the adjustment is intended to support low-income earners while limiting additional cost pressures on businesses.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the new rate reflects a balance between protecting workers’ incomes and ensuring business sustainability. “This new rate will benefit around 122,500 working New Zealanders and strikes a balance between keeping up with the cost of living and not adding further pressure on the costs of running businesses,” she said.
From April 2026, the adult minimum wage will rise to $23.95 (approximately N32,756) an hour, an increase of 45 cents from the current $23.50. Training and starting-out minimum wages will also increase to $19.16 an hour and will remain set at 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage, up from $18.80. The ministry said the changes will primarily affect workers earning below the new thresholds, particularly those in entry-level and training roles.
For employees on the adult minimum wage, the increase amounts to about $18 more per week for a standard 40-hour work schedule, or roughly $936 more per year before tax.
The wage increase comes as New Zealand continues to position itself as an attractive destination for workers, students, and professionals seeking opportunities abroad. Higher minimum wages are expected to improve income stability for both domestic and foreign workers, reinforcing the country’s appeal for migration.
The minimum wage applies to all legally employed workers aged 16 and above across all sectors and regions, and is reviewed annually as part of the government’s wider labour market and economic assessments.
The reforms align with broader labour, education, and immigration policies introduced by the government. In recent years, New Zealand has moved to expand its international education sector, ease student work-hour limits, introduce new visa categories for digital nomads and investors, and overhaul its occupation classification system to better match labour demand with skills needs. Together, these measures form part of a wider strategy aimed at strengthening the labour market while attracting international talent.
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