The Minimum Wage Order 2023 was gazetted on 23 February 2023 and comes into force on 1 April 2023. It revokes and replaces the Minimum Wage Order 2022.

The 2023 Order increases the minimum rates of pay for adult workers, starting-out workers and trainees (each of these terms is defined in cl 3). The new minimum hourly rates are:

• $22.70 per hour for adult workers (increased from $21.20 per hour); and
• $18.16 per hour for starting-out workers and trainees (increased from $16.96 per hour).

The equivalent minimum rates for workers and trainees who are paid either daily, weekly or fortnightly are also specified. For example, the minimum rate for an adult worker who is paid fortnightly is $1,816 (i.e. $22.70 × 80 hours).

In addition, the 2023 Order contains updated references to trainees and work-based training that are more closely aligned with the Education and Training Act 2020.

For quick access to previous Minimum Wage Orders (back to 1990), see Wages — Related Legislation in Employment Law on Westlaw New Zealand.