Minimum wage increased to $16.50 per hour
The adult minimum wage rate (for employees aged 16 years and over) recently increased by 75 cents to $16.50 per hour before tax.
The current minimum wage rates (before tax) are as at 1 April 2018 and apply to employees aged 16 years or over:
| Type of minimum wage | Per hour | 8 hour day | 40 hour week | 80 hour fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $16.50 | $132.00 | $660.00 | $1,320.00 |
| Starting-out | $13.20 | $105.60 | $528.00 | $1,056.00 |
| Training | $13.20 | $105.60 | $528.00 | $1,056.00 |
Employees have to be paid at least the minimum hourly wage rate for every hour worked. Anyone who thinks they are being paid less than the minimum wage should Employment NZ.
Different types of minimum wage rates has more information on the different types of minimum wage rates: adult, starting-out and training.
Exceptions and exemptions
There are some exceptions to the application of the Minimum Wage Act 1983 and a small number of people with a disability hold an exemption permit from the minimum wage.
Minimum wage exemption for people with disability has information about exemption permits to employees who have a disability that limits them carrying out the requirements of their work.
Paying employees under 16
There is no minimum wage for employees under 16 but all the other minimum standards and employment rights and obligations apply. When an employee turns 16, they must be paid the relevant minimum wage (even if they were paid less than the minimum wage when they were 15).
Exceptions to the Minimum Wage Act 1983
The Minimum Wage Act 1983 doesn’t apply to:
- apprentices under: the Maori Housing Amendment Act 1938, the New Zealand Railways Corporation Act 1981(external link), the Defence Act 1971, the Post Office Act 1959, the State Services Act 1962, or under any other Act
- inmates of any charitable institution (who aren’t living there just because they’re employees) who do any work as inmates
- prisoners working while in custody under the Corrections Act 2004. They may be paid at a rate approved by the Minister of Corrections
- in relation to travel only, employees who travel between clients are covered by the Home and Community Support (Payment for Travel Between Clients) Settlement Act 2016.