The Living Wage is the income necessary to enable workers and their families to live with dignity, afford the basic essentials and participate as active citizens in society.
The current Living Wage rate is $27.80. The current Living Wage rate applies from 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025. From 1 September 2025, the Living Wage hourly rate will be $28.95
The Living Wage is an hourly rate. Set apart from the minimum wage, it’s worker and whānau focused.
Paying the Living Wage rate is voluntary. Employers who pay the Living Wage want to make sure their workers get enough money to live with dignity.
The Living Wage considers basic expenses, and gives breathing room for rest, activities, or saving for a rainy day. It’s good for collective wellbeing, and our economy.
Read more information about the Living Wage rate here.
The Living Wage in Aotearoa is independently calculated, using the latest data.
We need to be confident that the Living Wage does what we say. That’s why it’s calculated using the latest data, and movement in New Zealand’s average hourly earnings.
For a sound and independent figure, the New Zealand Family Centre Social Policy Unit conducts the calculation of the rate, and provides this to the Living Wage Movement.
Read reports of the Living Wage calculation and annual updates here.