20 hrs/week
Starting-out minimum wage 20 hours
$383.20/wk
$19,926.40/year gross
Effective 1 April 2026 · Updated 2026-08-24$19.16/hour
Starting-out minimum wage 2026
Employees under 20 in specific starting-out situations (for example 16–17 year olds in their first 6 months with an employer, or 16–19 year olds required to complete at least 40 industry training credits a year). Statutory NZ rate with pay examples, adult context, and official Employment NZ sources — for HR, payroll, and workers.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
$19.16Statutory rate
$39,852.80FT annual gross
-$4.79vs adult
$18.80Prior (1 April 2025)
Pay at 20, 30 & 40 hours/week
Gross at $19.16/hour before PAYE, ACC, and KiwiSaver. Use the hourly salary calculator and New Zealand tax calculator for take-home estimates.
30 hrs/week
Starting-out minimum wage 30 hours
$574.80/wk
$29,889.60/year gross
40 hrs/week
Starting-out minimum wage 40 hours
$766.40/wk
$39,852.80/year gross
Annual calculation
$766.40 × 52 wks = $39,852.80 gross/year
Actual take-home depends on PAYE, ACC, and KiwiSaver. Model net pay with the New Zealand tax calculator.
Previous rates
$18.80/hr1 April 2025 – 1 April 2026
Notes
Set at 80% of the adult minimum wage. Does not apply if supervising or training other workers is part of the role — those employees must get at least the adult rate. There is no minimum wage for employees under 16.
Adult minimum wage context
The adult minimum wage for employees aged 16+ who are not starting-out or trainees is $23.95/hour. This type is $4.79/hour below that floor.
Compare Starting-out minimum wage minimum wage
See who has the higher floor — and why — versus other types.
Frequently asked questions
The Starting-out minimum wage is $19.16 per hour ($766.40 for a 40-hour week) from 1 April 2026. Over a year at 40 hours/week that is about $39,852.80 gross before tax.
The adult minimum wage is $23.95/hour ($958.00 per 40-hour week). Starting-out minimum wage is $19.16/hour — 80% of the adult rate (a gap of $4.79/hour).
At $766.40 for 40 hours each week over 52 weeks, gross pay is about $39,852.80/year before PAYE and other deductions. KiwiSaver employer contributions are paid on top of at least the minimum wage.
Current rates took effect on 1 April 2026. New Zealand minimum wage rates are reviewed each year and usually update on 1 April.
Starting-out applies in specific situations for employees under 20 — for example 16–17 year olds in their first 6 months with an employer, 16–19 year olds required to complete at least 40 industry training credits a year, or some 18–19 year olds who have been on specified benefits. After 6 months continuous employment with one employer (in the first category), the adult rate generally applies. Confirm eligibility on Employment New Zealand.
No statutory minimum wage applies to employees under 16 in New Zealand, though other employment rights (such as holidays) still apply. From age 16, at least the starting-out or adult minimum wage applies depending on the situation.
Employees under 20 in specific starting-out situations (for example 16–17 year olds in their first 6 months with an employer, or 16–19 year olds required to complete at least 40 industry training credits a year). Set at 80% of the adult minimum wage. Does not apply if supervising or training other workers is part of the role — those employees must get at least the adult rate. There is no minimum wage for employees under 16.
At $19.16/hour: 20 hrs/week ≈ $383.20/week ($19,926.40/year); 30 hrs/week ≈ $574.80/week ($29,889.60/year); 40 hrs/week ≈ $766.40/week ($39,852.80/year). Gross before PAYE and other deductions. At 40 hours we use Employment NZ’s published weekly figure.
Higher statutory types raise gross pay. Net pay still depends on PAYE, ACC, and KiwiSaver. Model the same hours in our New Zealand tax calculator.
The adult minimum wage is $23.95/hour. Starting-out minimum wage is $19.16/hour — 80% of the adult rate (a gap of $4.79/hour).
Related tools
- All New Zealand minimum wages
- Minimum Wage Comparisons (NZ) — Type vs type — who has the higher floor and why.
- New Zealand Tax Calculator — Estimate take-home from minimum wage after PAYE, ACC, and KiwiSaver.
- KiwiSaver Calculator New Zealand — Employee, employer, and government contributions.
- GST Calculator New Zealand — Add or remove 15% GST.
- Hourly Salary Calculator — Convert NZ$/hr to weekly, monthly, and annual pay.
- Highest Paying Jobs New Zealand — Stats NZ occupation medians ranked for NZ.
- US Minimum Wage by State — Sibling tracker for US federal and state floors.
- Minimum Wage Australia — Adult NMW, casual, and junior bands.
- Minimum Wage UK — NLW and age-band NMW rates.
- Minimum Wage Canada — Provincial and territorial CAD floors.
Related calculators
Minimum Wage New Zealand Compare
Type vs type — who pays more
Minimum Wage by State
US federal & state floors
Minimum Wage Australia
NMW, casual & junior bands
Minimum Wage UK
NLW & age-band NMW rates
Minimum Wage Canada
Provincial & territorial rates
Minimum Wage Ireland
Adult NMW & age-band rates
Hourly to Salary Calculator
Convert wage to annual pay
New Zealand Tax Calculator
Take-home after PAYE, ACC & KiwiSaver