The minimum wage for adults is set to increase by 1.5% to $23.50 an hour from April 2025 the government has confirmed.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the increase meets the coalition government’s commitment to moderate increases to the minimum wage each year.
Training and starting wages will increase to $18.80, remaining at the 80% of the minimum wage for adults.
Van Velden said the economy was still in recovery mode following a sustained period of high interest rates and recessionary conditions.
“Delivering a modest increase in the minimum wage strikes the right balance between supporting workers and limiting further costs on business,” she said.
“This increase also reflects the significant progress the government has now made on inflation, which has now returned to the Reserve Bank’s target band for the first time in more than three years.
As the group most likely to be earning the minimum wage, it was important to ensure young people weren’t locked out of the job market, Van Velden said.
Photo Credit: RNZ
