News
Living Wage Movement Aotearoa News
Living Wage Saved! Government Cleaners, Security Guards, and Caterers Counting on NZ First
Through pure people power — with workers, faith, and community uniting — the Government has decided to keep the Living Wage in its procurement guidelines for contracted cleaners, catering workers, and security guards. Special mention to the many workers who stood up, shared their stories, and organised for this win — to name just a few: Liam Shaw, Ministry of Health cleaner; Clive Miller, Ministry of Social Development security guard; Mele Peaua, MBIE cleaner; and Mareta Sinoti, cleaner at the Department of Internal Affairs.
Auckland mayor promises to ask for extra funding to tackle rising homelessness
Fantastic coverage of our Living Wage WIN in Auckland, with mayoral candidates committing to retain Auckland Council’s status as a Living Wage Employer and extend it to Council-Controlled Organisations like Auckland Transport.
Living Wage Schools Campaign reaches 60 schools so far
Get your school board to sign the pledge — to show central government that schools want funding for the Living Wage for around 15,000 cleaners 🧹, caretakers 🛠, canteen staff 👨🍳, and groundskeepers 🌱✊ Watch this space 👀 Get your school to sign here 👉 https://www.livingwageschools.org/pledge
Hutt Living Wage Election Forum
It was fantastic to see mayoral and ward council candidates committing to our Living Wage asks: ✅ Commit to Hutt City Council remaining a Living Wage Employer ✅ Ensure the new water entity becomes a Living Wage Employer ✅ Champion the Living Wage to create a Living Wage Hutt City Championing the Living Wage means celebrating Living Wage Employers and standing with workers like Lui from Resene Paints – who spoke at the forum – in their campaign to see their employer step up! Watch this space for the Hutt City Council Scorecards!
The Porriua City Council Candidates’ Scorecard
Candidates have committed to the following policy asks: 💼 Continue to value all of the Council’s workforce by remaining an accredited Living Wage Employer. 💧 Work with other local councils to support the new water entity in becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer. 📣Championing the Living Wage by working with workers and employers to create a Living Wage Porirua city. 🤝 Continue to meet regularly with the Living Wage movement to progress these commitments. ✅ – Support ALL Living Wage policy asks ❌ – Did not respond or said NO to the ASKS
The Greater Wellington Regional Council Candidates’ Scorecard is Here
Candidates have committed, by signing a commitment form, to the following policy asks: 💼 Continue to value all of the Council’s workforce by remaining an accredited Living Wage Employer. 💧 Work with other local councils to support the new water entity in becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer. 🤝 Continue to meet regularly with the Living Wage movement to progress these commitments. ✅ – Support ALL Living Wage policy asks ❌ – Did not respond or said NO to the ASKS
Wellington City Council Candidates
Wellington City Council Candidates have committed, by signing a commitment form, to the following policy asks: 💼 Continue to value all of the Council’s workforce by remaining an accredited Living Wage Employer. 💧 Work with other local councils to support the new water entity in becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer. ✈️ Actively advocate, as shareholders of Wellington International Airport, for it to become a Living Wage Employer. 🤝 Continue to meet regularly with the Living Wage movement to progress these commitments. ✅ – Support ALL Living Wage policy asks ❌ – Did not respond, said NO to the ASKS, or did not attend the Living Wage Election Forum/did not send reasonable apologies.
New Living Wage Rate from Today – 1st September 2025
From today, the Living Wage of $28.95 officially comes into effect! That means over 55,000 workers employed by accredited Living Wage Employers across Aotearoa - and their regular contracted service providers - will now earn at least $28.95 an hour. 💪 The Living Wage isn’t just about surviving - it’s about thriving. It means whānau can cover the basics and enjoy the little extras, like a family dinner out or a weekend away. 👏 We celebrate the 340+ Living Wage Employers who, despite tough economic times, continue to do the right thing for their people, their businesses, and their communities. This commitment is transforming lives every day. 📊 The Living Wage is independently calculated each year by the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit. It’s announced on 1 April and must be implemented by 1 September. 🔗 Learn more about how the Living Wage is calculated: livingwage.org.nz/lw25 📩 Want to join the Movement? Contact our Accreditation Team: accreditation@livingwage.org.nz #livingwageemployernz #therealdeal #whatsyourwhy #livingwagerate2025 #livingwagenz
South Auckland Living Wage Network launches!
Congratulations to the community, faith, and union leaders present at the South Auckland Living Wage Network meeting, held on Tuesday night at the Mandate offices 🫡 It was a special evening to meet and build new relationships across the different communities represented, and hear the real stories about why the Living Wage matters for different people 🤝 Next up, it’s time to start planning for action. It’s one thing to talk change, it’s another to make it happen, and making it happen is what Southside is all about ✊
Living Wage for Resene
🎉 Celebrating this week's initiation of collective bargaining (negotiating with the company for the Living Wage) with Resene workers and a few representatives from the community. The sign reads 'United for a Living Wage' because the community is in this for the long haul and will stand with these workers through thick and thin. ✊🏽 Watch this space! 👀 @resenecolour Resene @habitatbyresene
Celebrating this week's initiation of collective bargaining (negotiating with the company for the Living Wage) with Resene workers
A local win for our member organisation E tū and their musician members, who fought hard on behalf of artists to keep this fund. Thank you to the supportive councillors who stood strong too. Well done! ✊💥"
Hurricanes fans are Living Wage fans too
Hurricanes fans are Living Wage fans too, calling on their team’s major sponsor (Resene) to pay all staff at least the Living Wage. ✊🚩
Locked out Ep02 - The Living Wage
Excellent new podcast by Craig Renney talking with Finn Cordwell our Community Organiser about the govt’s decision to remove the living wage in government contracts ✊🚩
Government’s procurement submissions
On Tuesday we dropped off the 100s of written submissions collected to MBIE against the Government’s procurement changes to remove the Living Wage. In a fitting fashion the contracted Security Gaurd - impacted by these procurement changes - dropped the forms off to the procurement consultation team. We hope that rings home to MBIE officials as they provide their advice to cabinet. Photo - Gina Lockyer our Executive Director✊🚩
New Living Wage rate 2025/2026 Annouced
From 1 September 2025, the NZ Living Wage hourly rate is $28.95. Read more about the new Living Wage here: livingwage.org.nz/lw25 Also check out Living Wage Rate FAQs here - https://www.livingwage.org.nz/lwr_faq For a full report on the updated Living Wage rate 2025/26 from The Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit go to https://assets.nationbuilder.com/.../Living_Wage_update... #LivingWageRate2025 #LivingWageEmployerNZ #LivingWageNZ #TheRealDeal #WhatsYourWhy