Hourly minimum compensation

New Zealand's adult minimum wage is the statutory floor for hourly compensation payable to workers aged 20 and over. As of 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage increases from NZD $23.50 to NZD $23.95 per hour. This rate applies to all employees in New Zealand regardless of industry, with limited exceptions for certain apprentices and trainees during their first 90 days of employment.

The minimum wage is set and enforced under the Employment Relations Authority and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), which administers the Minimum Wage Act 1983 and related employment legislation. The government reviews the minimum wage annually, typically adjusting it on 1 April each year to reflect inflation and cost-of-living changes.

The 1 April 2026 increase represents the latest in a series of annual adjustments designed to maintain the purchasing power of minimum-wage earners. Employers must ensure all payroll systems reflect the new rate from the effective date; any wages paid below the statutory minimum constitute a breach of employment law and expose employers to penalties and back-pay claims.

Payroll teams should audit timesheets and wage calculations immediately to confirm compliance with the new NZD $23.95 hourly rate. This applies to all ordinary hours worked, plus any additional compensation structures that factor into the minimum wage calculation. Employers operating across multiple jurisdictions must also verify whether different rates apply to specific worker categories or regions, though New Zealand maintains a single national adult minimum wage with no regional variation.