NZ Minimum Wage Calculator

From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is $23.95/hour. The starting-out and training rates are both $19.16/hour. These are the statutory minimums — your employer must pay you at least this amount for every hour worked.

At $23.95/hr working 40 hours/week, gross pay is $958/week or $49,816/year. After PAYE, ACC earner levy, and 3% KiwiSaver, take-home is roughly $766/week ($39,863/year). Add student loan (12% above $24,128) if applicable — that's another ~$59/week deducted.

The starting-out rate applies to: (1) 16–17 year-olds who haven't worked 6+ months for a single employer, (2) 18–19 year-olds on a specified benefit for 6+ months, or (3) 16–19 year-olds whose employment agreement requires them to undertake at least 40 credits/year of industry training. After 6 months of continuous employment with the same employer, 16–17 year-olds must move to the adult rate.

The training rate applies to employees aged 20 or over whose employment agreement requires them to undertake at least 60 credits/year of industry training that will lead to a nationally recognised qualification. Once training finishes, they move to the adult rate.

The minimum wage is the legal minimum set by Government and reviewed annually (effective 1 April). The Living Wage is a voluntary, independently-calculated rate reflecting what workers need to live with dignity, set annually by Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ (effective 1 September). The current Living Wage (1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2026) is $28.95/hr — about $5.00/hr above the adult minimum.

The Government reviews the minimum wage each year. Any change normally takes effect from 1 April. The rates announced for 1 April 2026 are $23.95 (adult), $19.16 (starting-out), and $19.16 (training).

The minimum wage rates are gross (before tax). Your take-home is less, because PAYE, ACC earner's levy, KiwiSaver (if enrolled), and student loan repayments (if applicable) are deducted from gross. This calculator shows both — enter your rate and hours to see both figures.

Yes. Every employee aged 16 or over — full-time, part-time, casual, fixed-term, or temporary — must be paid at least the minimum wage for every hour worked, unless they qualify for the starting-out or training rate, or they hold a minimum wage exemption permit (rare, only for workers with significant disabilities).

Yes. Annual leave and public holiday pay are based on your ordinary earnings (or 8% if accrued under the Holidays Act 'pay-as-you-go' method for genuine casuals), not the minimum wage. If you normally earn the minimum wage, your holiday pay rate is your ordinary weekly pay — which for 40 hours at the adult rate is $958/week.

If you're enrolled in KiwiSaver, your employer must contribute at least 3% of your gross pay on top of your salary. At 40 hours on the 2026 adult rate, that's $1,494/year in extra employer contributions.