Living Wage History
Community Organising
The first Living Wage campaign was launched in 2012 in Auckland and in Wellington followed by other local networks around the country. Supporting organisations joined forces around a statement of commitment to a Living Wage. More than 200 groups agreed:
“A Living Wage is the income necessary to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life. A living wage will enable workers to live with dignity and to participate as active citizens in society. We call upon the Government, employers and society as a whole to strive for a living wage for all households as a necessary and important step in the reduction of poverty in New Zealand.”
The Living Wage emerged as a response to growing poverty and inequality that continues to hold back so many Kiwi workers, their families and our economy.
In April 2013 an incorporated society was formed called Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ with a governance body and membership comprising the three streams of civil society: faith based religious groups, unions and community/secular groups.
In the same year independent research by the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit established the first Living Wage rate for New Zealand, $18.40 per hour.
Across the country today there are local regional networks that champion the living wage agenda in their own towns and cities — these are made up of people working in community organisations, churches, local unions or advocacy groups.
What they do?
-Lobby and advocate with local and central government to adopt living wage policies (for their employees, for contracted workers) and embed living wage criteria in procurement.
-Refer employers who are considering accreditation to become Accredited “Living Wage Employers”
-Raise public awareness: run campaigns, organise events, build local support networks, help to shift culture so that “living wage” becomes a standard expectation rather than a fringe option.
-Sector‑specific campaigns: For example, the “Living Wage Schools” campaign links with school boards and communities to try to ensure that support staff in schools are paid the living wage.
Our kaupapa: What we do
The Living Wage Movement is not aligned to any political party but seeks to influence those who have the power to change the lives of workers and their families. The focus of attention is where incomes are funded through public money, and large employers who can afford to pay a Living Wage.
Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand brings together community/secular, union and faith-based groups to campaign for a Living Wage.
We uphold four key principles, including that the Living Wage Movement is:
-Non-party political
-Built locally through local relationships and local issues
-Independent of government in terms of funding and association
-Comprised of three streams of the membership: secular/community, union, faith-based groups.
Employer Programme
The Living Wage Employer Programme was launched in 2014. This accreditation pathway enables businesses and organisations who meet the set criteria and are approved to be recognised as Living Wage Employers. These businesses pay an annual accreditation fee and sign a license agreement, which is renewed annually.
Living Wage Employer are licensed to use the trademarked branding and have access to a network of ethically minded businesses and regular Living Wage Employer events. These businesses are champions of ethical business practice in their industry and region.
The Living Wage Employer programme is a diverse network of businesses and organisations from an equally diverse range of industries. From coffee roasters to finance companies, from commercial cleaners to cereal manufacturers, from recycle shops to e-scooter hire, there are accredited Living Wage Employers in almost every industry.
There have been many milestones in the Living Wage Employer Programme, including the accreditation of the first corporate business, Vector Limited in 2017. Vector Limited paved the way for other large businesses. It wasn’t long before other businesses and organisations, in both the private and public sector were also stepping up to become accredited Living Wage Employers.
In September 2018, following much public lobbying and campaigning, Wellington City Council became the first local government body to become an accredited Living Wage Employer, under the leadership of former Wellington City Mayor, Justin Lester.
In February 2019, Westpac New Zealand became the first bank in NZ to be accredited as a Living Wage Employer. By May 2020, all members of the New Zealand Bankers Association, were also accredited, including the professional body itself. As a result, the banking sector became the first accredited Living Wage sector in Aotearoa.
Most recently, Tāmaki Maraurau’s largest employer, Auckland Council became achieved accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, ensuring at least the current Living Wage rate is paid all directly employed staff and regular and ongoing contracted services.
Living Wage Employer accreditation is good for workers and good for business. More than 340 business will give testimony for this. If you are ready to increase productivity, attract higher quality workers, improve staff retention and reduce unexpected absenteeism and sickness, contact our team for a free, no obligation chat about becoming an Accredited Living Wage Employer.
The Living Wage Movement is a group membership-based organisation. The Movement organises through groups because groups build the power of civil society, bringing together thousands of people who share a common goal of reducing poverty and inequality in New Zealand.
There are three streams of membership:
• Community/secular groups
• Faith-based religious groups
• Union groups
If you are part of a group or organisation you can become a Member Group of the Living Wage Movement and stand for leadership positions on our National Governance Committee or in a local network