New Zealand minimum wage: rates and categories

The minimum wage has separate adult, starting-out and training categories, with current rates stated before tax and lawful deductions.

Effective date

1 April 2026Employment New Zealand, minimum wage rates and types

Adult hourly rate

$23.95 before taxEmployment New Zealand, minimum wage rates and types

Starting-out hourly rate

$19.16 before taxEmployment New Zealand, minimum wage rates and types

Training hourly rate

$19.16 before taxEmployment New Zealand, minimum wage rates and types

The published hourly rates

From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is $23.95 an hour before tax. The starting-out and training rates are each $19.16 an hour before tax. The adult rate applies to employees aged 16 or over who are not starting-out workers or trainees. Minimum wage applies to every hour worked unless an exemption applies; an employment agreement specifying a higher rate requires payment of that higher rate. Employment New Zealand, minimum wage rates and types (opens in a new tab).

Starting-out and training are defined categories

Starting-out rules cover specified younger workers, including employees aged 16 or 17 in their first 6 continuous months with an employer. Other categories involve specified benefit history or industry training. The training rate applies from age 20 where the employment agreement requires at least 60 industry-training credits a year. A role that includes supervising or training other workers attracts at least the adult rate rather than either lower category. Employment New Zealand, minimum wage rates and types (opens in a new tab).

Learning a job is not the same as an apprenticeship

Employment New Zealand distinguishes ordinary on-the-job learning from apprenticeships and industry training. A new employee may be learning an organisation's processes, applying existing knowledge or observing a colleague. Apprenticeships usually combine workplace learning with block-course training towards a trade. The fact that someone is learning while employed does not itself describe their wage category; that depends on the minimum-wage rules for the relevant employment and training arrangement. Employment New Zealand, apprentices and trainees (opens in a new tab).

Deductions and employer contributions

A before-tax rate is different from net pay after deductions. Employment New Zealand identifies deductions required by law, such as PAYE, student loans and child support, alongside legal and reasonable deductions agreed in writing and limited overpayment cases. General deduction clauses still require consultation before a specific deduction. Compulsory employer superannuation contributions must sit on top of the minimum wage and cannot reduce an employee's wages below that minimum. Employment New Zealand, deductions and premiums (opens in a new tab).

Scope of this explanation

This is general information about the published New Zealand rates, rather than a finding about an employer's compliance. It does not classify an individual worker, interpret an exemption permit, decide employment status or reconstruct hours and deductions from a payslip. No annual salary, take-home amount or arrears total is calculated here. The guide does not assume that every younger worker or new starter qualifies for a lower rate.

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